Survey: 43% of U.S. workers question necessity of returning to the workplace
New data reveals COVID-19 no longer tops the list of return-to-work concerns. Find out what’s worrying workers most right now—and how you can keep employees engaged amid ongoing turmoil.
Offices around the country are planning to reopen their doors in coming months, but will employees be there?
Amid higher productivity, 43% question the wisdom—and the necessity—of returning to the workplace at all.
A new survey published by The Conference Board shows a major shift in employees’ biggest return-to-work concerns. Fears of contracting COVID-19 or exposing family members to the virus now lag behind worries about returning to a brick-and-mortar location. A clear divide among workers is emerging, with lower-level employees, women and millennials questioning the need to return to the office at higher rates than their counterparts, despite expressing more concern about mental health.
The online survey, which was conducted between May 28–June 4, examines plans and opinions about reopening offices. More than 3,600 U.S. workers participated in the survey. It follows up similar surveys conducted by The Conference Board in late 2020 and early 2021. Key findings from this edition include:
Workers question the wisdom of returning to the workplace given high levels of remote-work productivity.
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