Returning Back to the Workplace is a Sticky Situation During COVID-19
Statistics show nearly a quarter of U.S. adults say there is no hesitation to return back to in-person work.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Jun 02, 2021
The American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor conducted an online survey by the Harris Poll among 2,055 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The study shows 54 percent of adults cite barriers preventing them from returning to “brick-and-mortar” work locations during the pandemic.
According to an article, the top three barriers to returning to on-site work are:
1. Fear of catching COVID-19 at work or during commute (57 percent)
2. Preference to work at home (35 percent)
3. Not being vaccinated yet (34 percent)
At the same time, however, 23 percent of U.S. adults say they have no barriers to return back to work in person. 13 percent say they are already at work. There is a divide about who to trust to assure it’s safe to go back to work during the pandemic.
42 percent of adults say they would trust federal, state or local government sources to assure them that an on-site work location is safe, while 36 percent listen to employers, supervisors or colleagues. 28 percent cite health and safety inspectors of the work location; 27 percent cite medical personnel as sources they would trust to go back to work. Only seven percent say they would trust the news media and social media. Four percent would listen to what celebrities and influencers have to say about the safe return.
“The ASA Workforce Monitor findings show that employers are among the top resources that U.S. workers listen to when making decisions about returning to on-site job locations,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “However, with some saying they don’t trust any sources about safely returning to work, employers must make it a top priority to clearly communicate the return-to-work safety protocols and procedures that have been put in place to ensure employee safety and well-being.”
To learn more about the ASA Workforce Monitor, click here.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.