We asked 61 businesses across 20 industries 10 key questions as they begin to welcome employees back to the workplace.
Some results were expected, showing the majority of employers have or plan to require employees to return to the workplace. Others were less predictable, showing a split among employers who will offer employees a hybrid of in-office and remote work.
Most importantly, there’s something for every business to consider from these results, which you’ll find in a summary of key takeaways below.
Key Takeaways
Nearly 90% of employers say they will require employees to return to in-person work.
Among the companies surveyed, nearly 60% are already back to work in physical buildings. Those who are not already back in the office expect staff to return to the office in April, with 3% returning in May and 5% returning in June.
80% of employers are not requesting employees get vaccinated before returning to the workplace. Though, several companies noted in the comments that “requesting” was not the language they used internally – many are “encouraging” vaccinations, with several “requiring” it, primarily in the healthcare sector.
40% of employers are planning to survey employees to understand employees’ needs during the pandemic.
60% of employers do not have plans to offer a hybrid of in-office and remote work. The majority of employers expect 25% of staff or less to work from home indefinitely.
Additional Comments:
“All employees have returned to work, but employees can work from home when necessary upon request.”
“WFH was necessary during the lockdown but lacks many of the intangibles that makes our company great including social interaction, conversational inferences, and comradery.”
“We are being flexible, though encourage everyone to return to the office.”
“We are in manufacturing. Unfortunately, working from home is not an option for anybody. Early on, we initiated mitigation measures and thankfully have not had a case of COVID so far.”
“We have a minimal staff; most are self-employed realtors, many of whom now prefer to work from home. We prefer that newer agents come in at least until they have gained enough experience to work remotely.”
