New Work Culture Emerges as World Transitions - Seite 2

Worries about infection put people off offices and the daily commute

The prospect of a return to physical workplaces is creating new anxieties among employees, 42% said they were concerned about catching the coronavirus because of travel, in-person meetings or common working spaces. This rose to 54% in Singapore and 51% in the UAE, but fell to only 19% in Hong Kong, which saw an increase in cases after this latest survey was completed.

41% said they were concerned about workplace protocols, such as social distancing and the need to wear a face mask, with people in Thailand and Singapore the most worried (47%) and New Zealand, perhaps understandably, least worried at 26%.

Not all employee needs being filled adequately

The report also highlighted the different kinds of support employees would prefer as they return to the workplace, as well as the gap in terms of what support employers are currently offering.

Most employers appear to be taking their responsibilities seriously. Over half (52%) said their employers offer protective and sanitising products, such as facemasks and santiser. This increases to 62% in Mainland China, 58% in Taiwan and 55% in Singapore and New Zealand.

However, 60% of people said they would like subsidies on extra expenses, such as protective and sanitising products, utility bills from working from home, rising to 73% and 71% in air-conditioning reliant UAE and Singapore. Despite this, approximately one in five (19%) said that their employer already had suitable measures in place, although 29% of UAE and 18% of Singapore employers have stepped up to offer this support, compared to only 11% in Hong Kong.

Mental health support was another area that was identified. Although nearly a quarter (24%) said their employers currently offer support, 50% said they would like more. New Zealand (40%) and UAE (34%) employers have led the way with the provision of mental health support, compared to only 15% of Korean and 16% of Hong Kong firms.

Sadler added, "With some markets gradually opening and people returning to the workplace, our findings show that there is still a large gap between expectations and reality. Employees will look to organizations to narrow this gap by providing adequate support where needed and continue building a workplace culture centred around mutual support. As we transition to a new normal, it is key for us to not only continue checking in with one another but also for employers to develop comprehensive well-being programs focused on equipping employees with tools to reduce and manage their stress and anxiety levels."