Many managers at UK firms count on to dial again their pandemic-era embrace of distant work and versatile preparations as soon as COVID-19 recedes, dampening hopes amongst staff that lots of the modifications will endure.
A survey of UK managers and human sources leaders, carried out for office administration agency GoodShape by Ipsos, confirmed that greater than two-thirds of respondents describe many initiatives at present in place — from working practices to mental-health provision — as “a lot wanted.”
That is in sharp distinction to what they assume will occur. Solely 34% of managers and HR professionals consider that distant working initiatives will keep in place after the pandemic, the survey of greater than 750 folks confirmed, regardless that 66% assist present insurance policies.
Respondents additionally count on initiatives addressing poor psychological well being amongst staff to be rolled again, regardless that that was the main trigger of labor absenteeism within the UK in 2021.
These variations level to potential tensions as firms look previous COVID-19 measures and infections plummet. Many firms now have staff who count on flexibility, and a few employees have proven extra willingness to stop their jobs as an alternative of giving up working from dwelling.
Gill Wetherill, head of individuals at monetary advisory agency Progeny, mentioned organizations ought to keep away from permitting wellbeing to turn out to be “token” initiatives. “Worker wellbeing ought to at all times be a precedence for companies and never simply throughout the context of a worldwide pandemic,” she mentioned.
A number of research have predicted that working from house is prone to proceed after the pandemic, with information additionally exhibiting that distant working rose in each main demographic group and trade over the past two years.
{Photograph}: An workplace employee at a desk in view of Tower Bridge in London within the workplaces of Arcadis NV, on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Photograph credit score: Jason Alden/Bloomberg
Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
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