Over the past year, more than half of the full-time employees in the United States were either unable to cover their expenses or barely covered them, according to a new survey that explores how the households of employees have fared financially over the past year while looking ahead to their expectations for the year ahead.

The online survey, which was conducted in March by the Harris Poll on behalf of Purchasing Power, found a continued strain on employees that can be traced in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and its widespread impacts. According to the survey, which is based on the responses of 1,105 full-time employees in the U.S., 40% of respondents say their financial situation is worse or much worse than it was before the pandemic. In addition, nearly all full-time employees – 97% of respondents – reported feeling financial stress.