Just half UK staff ‘confident’ about returning to work

Only half of UK office workers feel confident about returning to the workplace amid Covid, unless it’s ‘fully vaccinated’, confirmed research carried out by digital coaching provider Ezra. 

According to its latest research, 80% of UK office workers aren’t required to be vaccinated before returning to work; with a further 17% unsure on company policy regarding vaccination. No surprise then, that just 51% feel confident about returning to work when either they or their colleagues aren’t required to have a vaccination. In fact, 28% stated they weren’t confident about a return to the workplace, while 21% remained on the fence. 

WORKPLACE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Although vaccinations aren’t a requirement in the majority of UK workplaces, this research shows that precautions are, at least, being taken in many offices. Socially distanced desks and workspaces and a reduced number of onsite staff were the most prominent precautions being taken (20%), while some companies are removing staff social events (14%) to reduce the chance of catching Covid-19. 

Some offices are preventing external face to face meetings from taking place in order to protect workers, with others requiring PPE in the workplace (10%), as well as restricting use of shared communal areas or shared resources such as kitchens (10%). Weekly Covid tests were less prominent (6%), with reduced internal meetings also largely taking place (9%).  

STAFF ANXIOUS ABOUT WORKPLACE RETURN

 “It’s understandable that many of us might feel anxious about returning to the workplace while the threat of Covid remains such a big part of our day to day lives. Unfortunately, at these early stages we’re having to do so in the knowledge that either ourselves, or our colleagues, might not be fully vaccinated and remain vulnerable,” stated Nick Goldberg, Founder of Ezra Coaching. “However, for many businesses, this slow return to normality is a vital part of their strategic plan for the year ahead and so many of us will be required to brave the workplace at some point or another. The good news is that the vast majority of offices have a range of protocol in place to ensure the utmost safety of their employees and adhering to these should ensure a safe and harmonious workplace for all involved.”

These results echo the sentiments of workers in the US. In fact, half of American workers want their employers to require vaccination proof from their co-workers before they return to work, as reported.