A move towards hybrid working
Over two years into the pandemic, employees are more aware than ever of the impact of the physical workplace on their personal wellbeing.
In last year’s Creating a Healthy Workplace report, we revealed how the pandemic had fostered a desire among employees for a safer, happier, and more productive workplace. As businesses prepared for the return to the office last spring, employees told us how a healthy workplace was a priority for their mental and physical wellbeing.
A year on, amid continued political uncertainty and calls for a permanent shift to a more flexible, hybrid mode of working, employees are even more concerned about the health of their workplace.
Indeed, our research shows that over a third of UK employees today are more concerned about being in the physical workplace than they were last year.
As we all manage a new phase of the pandemic, we wanted to catch up with employees about how they feel about being in the office. That is why we commissioned research with OnePoll, to understand what employees want to feel happier, more productive, and safer in the workplace.
Two major themes emerge from the research. Firstly, most employees (55 percent) say the health of their workplace—including factors like fresh air and viral risk—still impacts their mental and physical wellbeing.
54% of employees say the health of their workplace—including factors like fresh air and viral risk—still impacts their mental and physical wellbeing.
Secondly, employees are more concerned about the flu season, which reaches its annual UK peak between December and March. Over half of British employees are worried about falling ill at the workplace when in the office.
For employers, though, there is good news. The overwhelming majority of employees (84 percent) feel that their employers care about creating a healthy working environment. However, there is also a challenge: how can employers reassure their staff that they are doing enough?
Employees want visibility on the health of their environments. You can provide it.
As humans we spend 90 percent of our time indoors.