As the vaccine roll out continues and restrictions are lifted, more and more offices are opening up. Great news if you’re eager to get back to your desk. Not so great if you’re feeling nervous about returning to the office.
We’re entering uncharted territory as we continue to live and work with Covid-19. Let’s look at how employees feel about going back to in-person work.
Some work better in the office
During the pandemic, almost half of workers in the UK were forced to work from home. The unexpected change came about quickly and many businesses and employees were unprepared. Some were using ironing boards for desks and washing baskets as chairs. Hardly an ideal environment for productivity.
Depending on personal circumstances, working from home can be difficult. If you’re sharing an apartment or living with a large family, space is limited. Finding a quiet space to work from (especially with children off school) could be challenging and this might affect your ability to work well.
Others have been more productive at home
On the other hand, many have found working from home resulted in an increase in productivity. In fact, two different surveys both found that around two-thirds of employees say they’re more productive when working from home.
If you have the luxury of having a dedicated space to work from, working from home can be less distracting. Many others found that they were able to establish a better work life balance.
Anxious about returning to work
Surveys have shown 44% of UK workers are anxious about the prospect of returning to the workplace. Whether that’s worries about safety, anxiety around returning to the commute or fears around productivity slipping, everyone is different. Attitudes towards a return to the office will be varied and employers should recognise that a one size fits all approach won’t cut it.
Over a third of employees are concerned their offices aren’t Covid secure, it’s down to employers to ensure workers feel comfortable with returning to work.
Safety first
Better ventilation systems and improved cleaning regimes are some of the measures employees want to see in their workplaces. Desk booking apps and plenty of space are also on the agenda for workers who are expected to return to the office, whether that’s full time or as part of a hybrid approach.
At AFP Digital, we’re here to support your business as it navigates towards the ‘new normal’. We can supply your business with the latest in hand sanitising technology. The eShield180 can provide protection to 30 people per minute, giving 8 hour total protection from Covid-19, bacteria and other viruses.
If you want to keep your staff and employees safe as the wheels of your business begin to turn again, get in touch with us to arrange a demo.