Poll: 1 in 4 have weighed quitting

New York (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has put millions of Americans out of work. But many of those still working are fearful, distressed and stretched thin.

A quarter of U.S. workers say they have even considered quitting their jobs as worries related to the pandemic weigh on them, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in collaboration with the software company SAP. A fifth say they have taken leave.

About 7 in 10 workers cited juggling their jobs and other responsibilities as a source of stress. Fears of contracting the virus also was a top concern for those working outside the home.

The good news is that employers are responding. The poll finds 57% of workers saying their employer is doing “about the right amount” in responding to the pandemic; 24% say they are “going above and beyond.” Just 18% say their employer is “falling short.”

John Roman, a senior fellow at NORC at the University of Chicago, said those findings likely reflect fears of exposure of the virus among those who can’t work from home.

“This is perhaps the most surprising finding,” Roman said. “The people who can least afford to lose their jobs are leaving jobs in higher numbers. But it fits with the story that they feel unsafe health-wise.”

While 65% of remote workers say their employers are doing a good job protecting their health, just 50% of those working outside the home say that.

Halliburton: 3Q Earnings Snapshot

HOUSTON (AP) _ Halliburton Co. (HAL) on Monday reported a third-quarter loss of $17 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.

The Houston-based company said it had a loss of 2 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 11 cents per share.

The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 8 cents per share.

The provider of drilling services to oil and gas operators posted revenue of $2.98 billion in the period, which did not meet Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $3.09 billion.

Halliburton shares have dropped 50% since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has risen almost 8%. The stock has declined 34% in the last 12 months.