This post is by Anthony Savage of Sparta Health
According to a recent survey of 500 workers by Burson Cohn & Wolfe, 60% of people expected to return to the office by the end of August, with 45% being concerned that this would result in bringing Covid-19 into their home.
31% of respondents felt that colleagues would not take proper precautions, with 72% of those being surveyed stating that they would feel better about returning to the workplace if all employees had been certified as being vaccinated against the virus, if and when a vaccine becomes available. Furthermore, 65% had the expectation that desks would be separated, with 72% believing that added cleaning should be introduced.
A further investigation involving more than 2000 employees by Ballycare, states that only 30% of employees feel they’ve been given enough information on personal safety at work in relation to Covid-19. Additionally, almost half of those surveyed voiced that they would refuse to return to work if they were not provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Moreover, 87% felt that the provision of such PPE was their employer’s responsibility, as well as 40% revealing that they felt the government should bear this responsibility. Although 70% felt that is was unlikely to happen in their place of work, respondents wanted to see routine Covid-19 testing taking place, including temperature checks.
It is clear from these surveys that Covid-19 is going to be a challenge for many businesses. It is going to be key for organisations to continue to plan to work flexibly in the long-term, in addition to providing clear guidance, health and safety information and appropriate health and wellbeing support for their employees, particularly to those who are showing nervousness and reservations about returning to the workplace.
What are your thoughts? How has your business been planning for a return to the workplace?
About Anthony Savage
Anthony Savage is the Medical Services Manager at Sparta Health, having joined the team in 2017 and is responsible for the overall operational delivery of our high quality services to our clients. He has a solid background in workplace physiology, as well over 12 years of delivering, and holding senior management positions, for leading injury and condition management providers.
He is known for his innovative approach in his design and execution of services and his ability to build enduring relationships.