In early April 2021, we asked 6,158 workplace leaders with responsibility for employee safety about their Return to Work planning—and what’s keeping them awake at night.
This was a snapshot of offices, manufacturers, medical care facilities, schools, colleges, and camps across the United States.
Survey take-aways
• 71.5% of respondents have not remained open and fully staffed
• Of those, 53.8% plan to bring employees back to their workplace between June-September 2021
• 67.6% plan that half to all employees will return to their workplace full time when they fully re-open
• 77.6% feel confident about being prepared for employees to fully return to their workplace
• 73% will train employees in their COVID-19 safety protocols and all other workplace emergencies, such as fire, medical events, workplace violence, active shooter, severe weather, etc.
• 54% said keeping their people safe from COVID-19 protocol violations, unvaccinated workers and visitors, and COVID-19 resurgence and variants keeps them awake at night.
Survey insight
• Training all employees in your COVID-19 safety protocols will improve compliance, reduce risk, and build trust.
• Training gives employees “social permission” to tell others to follow safety protocols (e.g., wear a mask correctly, maintain social distance, wash hands)—and report offenders. They trust you have their backs.
• Training teaches employees some colleagues may have health conditions that prohibit getting vaccinated, and may need to follow more strict protocols. These vulnerable employees trust they won’t be singled out.
• Other workplace emergencies—fire, medical events, workplace violence, active shooter, severe weather, toxic spills—remain foreseeable threats that require training.
• Employees want to trust you’re prepared, and they know how to respond.
More survey results
Download our “COVID-19 Return to Work Survey Results.” Of course, we’re here to help you with your Return to Work planning, and to train your people. Email me, or call 203.563.9999.