Six weeks at home, where they’ve watched the sickness and death rates from the coronavirus rise, has workers on edge as governors and the White House map out plans to open the economy.
Despite promises that all will be good, 54% are worried about getting the virus and the resulting disease, COVID-19; they also want some safety measures in place before returning.
According to a new survey from Eagle Hill Consulting, those include masks, tests, and a ban on sick workers. What’s more, workers are also good with employers asking if employees have tested positive for COVID-19, information they expect to be shared.
But in the end, said the survey, more than 7-in-10 expect employers to be prepared before unlocking the door to returning employees.
“The No. 1 focus of employers right now should be employee engagement. That means understanding at the most granular level employee sentiment about COVID-19, their challenges returning to the workplace, and how to keep the workforce safe — and then taking action to address employee feedback,” said Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting.
The poll shows just how skittish employees are about returning and what they expect employers to do first. Key findings:
- 58% want masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
- 55% demand mandating employees with symptoms to stay home.
- 53% want COVID-19 tests available.
- 45% said the number of employees in a workspace must be limited.
- 45% want social distancing required.
- 42% want to retain remote work availability.
- 56% said employers have the right to know if somebody has tested positive.
- 71% believe their employers will be prepared to bring employees back safely.
“The good news is that employees have confidence (71%) that their employers can bring them back to work safely. But that puts a big burden on employers. Employees want testing, protective gear, and careful monitoring of the workforce. Those expectations for most companies will be difficult to deliver given shortages and high costs,” Jezior said.
