Staff worldwide ‘anxious’ about returning to workplace

100% of employees are ‘anxious’ about returning to the workplace, according to a new global study from the Limeade Institute. 

Top staff concerns include exposure to Covid-19, less flexibility and commuting, according to the Employee Care: Defining the New Normal report. All employees surveyed – who were previously working on-site pre-pandemic, but now working from home – say they have some anxiety about returning to work. 

The study reveals that employees are concerned about returning to the workplace as the need for flexibility, communication and care increases. In fact, 82% of staff say health and safety for themselves and their family is their top source of stress for the year ahead. Around 77% employees cited being exposed to Covid-19 as the top source of anxiety; followed by less flexibility at 71% and commuting to work at 58%. 

“Employees are hesitant to let go of autonomy when it comes to their well-being; and rightfully so,” commented Dr Reetu Sandhu, Senior Manager of the Limeade Institute. “Instead of focusing on the logistics of getting people back into the office, I encourage leaders to see this moment as an opportunity to ask employees, ‘what do you want work to look like in the future so that you can do your best work and take care of yourself?’; and then really listen and act accordingly. The outcome would be profound, both for people and for businesses.” 

TIPS FOR SAFE WORKPLACE RETURN

However, according to the survey, 56% of staff say their employer hasn’t asked for their feedback on return-to-work policies or procedures. To help ease the stress for workers as they transition back to the office or workplace, the Limeade Institute recommends that employers:

• Ask staff for feedback on policies or procedures. 
• Keep the added flexibility that allows staff to continue to experienced a better quality of life as a result of dropping the morning and evening commute.
• Work together towards employee care. When staff feel they have organisational support and well-being, they’re more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work, less likely to leave and more likely to be engaged at work.

For more information about the report and Limeade’s wellbeing resources, click here. 

Another recent study revealed that US staff want co-workers to provide ‘vaccination proof’ before they return to the workplace. Click here to read more.