Staff reluctant to return to work until vaccines become more available

As the US ramps up coronavirus vaccinations, new research carried out by Eagle Hill Consulting and Ipsos has revealed that many employees are reluctant to return to the workplace until Covid-19 vaccines become more available.

In fact, 42% of US workers want their employers to wait to re-open until vaccines are more widely available to staff. About one-quarter (26%) say employees should be required to take a Covid-19 test before entering the workplace, while 37% say testing should be encouraged. The latest national poll of working Americans also finds that 57% of staff also believe employers should offer vaccine incentives to employees. And, 52% agree that employers should require vaccines; up from 49% in December 2020. There is growing support among employees that employers should carry out safety measures such as masks, social distancing, Covid-19 testing and temperature checks at work. 

In terms of Covid-19 testing, 45% believe that employers should cover the costs for any employer-mandated tests. Around 29% say the federal government should bear the costs, while 15% believe insurance providers or state/local government (10%) should pay for required tests. Only 2% agree employees should pay. 

WORKPLACE SAFETY COMPLICATIONS

“The Covid-19 vaccine is slowly starting to reach some segments of the workforce, but the road ahead remains complicated for employers – from when to bring employees back to how to ensure safety,” stated Melissa Jezior, Eagle Hill Consulting President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our research shows many employees are reluctant to return to the workplace until vaccines are more prevalent, and more than half say financial or paid-time off incentives could encourage vaccinations.” 

“We also found that employees remain split on employer vaccination requirements, but do want employers to require safe practices in the workplace,” Jezior added. “All of this means employers must engage with employees at a deep level to understand their views and align decisions with employee preferences. There will not be a one-size fits all approach, and it isn’t enough to just announce plans. Employers have to find the balance between ensuring a safe environment while not imposing requirements that will generate employee anxiety or animosity. That’s the last thing employers need as they try to return to some sense of normalcy for employees and customers.”

EMPLOYER SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

When asked about the role employers that should play with Covid-19 precautions even after a vaccine is widely available, there was broad support for employer involvement.  Key findings revealed that:

• Regarding social distancing, 89% concur that employers should require or encourage social distancing. This is up from 85 percent in December 2020. 
• Regarding masks, 87% agree on employers requiring or encouraging mask use, compared to 85% in December 2020.  
• For temperature checks at the workplace, 81% say employers should encourage or require temperature checks; up from 78% in December. 
• Regarding personal protective equipment, 71% are in agreement that employers should encourage or require personal protective equipment at work. This is up from 64% from December 2020. 
• When it comes to requiring regular Covid-19 testing, 69% support employers requiring or encouraging testing, slightly down from 70% in December 2020. 

Another recent survey revealed that 56% employees are more likely to get vaccinated if their employer encourages them to do so, rather than enforcing it as a condition of returning to work. Click here to read more.