More than a quarter (27%) of employees in Singapore do not feel safe returning to work post-Circuit Breaker mainly due to worries about a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, a survey from EngageRocket shows.
Findings of the Pulse of Singapore Workforce survey, covering more than 2,800 respondents, also show that employees are worried about the compliance of co-workers to safety measures (social distancing, wearing masks etc.) as well as their own.
As Singapore moves into the second phase of its circuit breaker exit, most economic activities are resuming but organisations still need to adapt workplaces to the new normal.
Three in every four (75%) employees wish for social distancing to be observed for at least the next six months. One in every five (21%) think social distancing should be observed for at least one year while 9% would like for these measures to be implemented permanently
As we continue to navigate through this crisis, organisations will need to put safety and security first in order to reassure employees.
“Undoubtedly, we will have to live with COVID-19 for some time and organisations would need to continuously address the concerns of their workforce,” said Alvin Goh, executive director of Singapore Human Resources Institute. “(I)t is imperative that companies aim for a zero infection rate through continuous improvement of their workflows and adoption of technology to enable their employees to work in a safe environment.”
Although some firms have begun preparing for the transition back to the workplace, work-from-home (WFH) arrangements are likely to continue to ensure business continuity and employee safety.
“To make this new normal work, organisations will have to rethink how they connect and interact with their employees,” said Leong Chee Tung, CEO, and co-founder of EngageRocket. “Developing and maintaining a culture of belonging in this new configuration, will require new talent management approaches and skills.”
More employees are adjusting to working from home and 85% of respondents said they are keen to continue WFH at least half of the time compared to 80% of workers when asked at the beginning of Circuit Breaker.
Close to two-thirds (64%) of employees reported being as productive or more productive working from home than in the office compared to 54% at the beginning of Circuit Breaker).
