Are You Ready To Return To Work? Many Are Not

It appears that more than 60% of workers in Southeast Asia (SEA) are still worried about going back to work, according to a study by Qualtrics. Even though governments are starting to ease restrictions, people still don’t feel comfortable interacting with each other face-to-face and 32% believe there’s no returning to normalcy.

The survey, titled “Return to Work & Back to Business Study” found that most workers across age groups from Boomers to Gen Z, in Thailand and Malaysia, are nervous returning to the office at present.

The research involving 509 respondents, 359 who are Malaysians were asked how confident they felt about going back to work or visiting public establishments at this time and shared what it would take for them to feel comfortable doing so.

Though 62% of employees plan to return to the workplace by July, over half said a treatment (58%) or vaccine (61%) must be approved before they're ready to return to work.

Before they feel prepared to return to work, respondents said they want these safety measures in place:

• The wearing of masks for all employees; 

• Hand sanitiser and cleaning supplies available throughout the office; 

• Social distancing enforced; 

• Required temperature checks; and 

• Policies against handshakes and hugs at work

Qualtrics said companies and governments need to understand how employee and customer behaviours and attitudes have changed so that they could take actions helping them feel confident during this next phase of the ‘new normal’.

"It is crucial that businesses are able to unlock insights around employee and customer confidence at each stage of the transition to drive necessary business actions,” said Head of Southeast Asia at Qualtrics, Mao Gen Foo

Most respondents will truly feel comfortable returning to public spaces once a cure or vaccine is available.

When it comes to public transport, 67% of the people feel uncomfortable using it right now, and 73% feel uncomfortable flying on an aeroplane.

Mao said the results revealed that most consumers have not yet felt comfortable to return and it means as measures lift and businesses continue to reopen in the coming weeks and months, it is essential they can understand how customers feel.

On returning back to the workplace, employees have asked that the following practices be installed by their employer to shield themselves and their co-workers:

1. 96% of people said it was necessary for them to limit the number of people in an in-person work meeting

2. 98% of people said it was crucial to them that employees be required to wear masks

3. 96% of people said it was vital to them that they are allowed to work remotely at any point if they feel unsafe

4. 97% of people said it was essential to them that everyone has their temperature checked each day before entering the building

5. 97% of people said it was important to them that social distancing was implemented in the workplace

Source: The Sun Daily

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