Is the UK ready to return to work? Beyond COVID-19: Returning to Work report

Flexible working is the number one requirement

For much of the UK’s workforce the pandemic has caused ‘unprecedented’ disruption to their personal and their work life. 

So, while the nation comes to terms with the as yet unknown long-term impact of COVID-19 and Britain’s gears begin to grind into action again, the workers are waiting with bated breath to get a glimpse of what work after COVID might look like. 

The report states that people are apprehensive, excited, but more than anything, they’ve adapted to their enforced work life shift and are now determined to retain the flexibility that the pandemic has provided. They’re also sceptical about how social distancing measures can and will be implemented by their employers and their colleagues.

Employers are being called upon to adapt, to proactively promote a new work life and to demonstrate their commitment to their workforce’s safety by introducing and policing strict measures.

Will workers flock back to the office or expect flexible working to continue?

How do staff feel about returning to the workplace?

While 35% of those surveyed are apprehensive about returning to work and 7.5% go as far as saying they’re unhappy about it, there are still a lot of people in the UK that are welcoming a return to the workplace. 16% are excited to head back while 40% are indifferent or acceptant that it’s time to return.

When asked what about a return to work most excites them, 31.9% of the respondents are keen to see their colleagues while 29% just want some structure back in their lives. The good news for employers is that a quarter of those surveyed have missed doing their job, while 13% just want to get out of the house.

The report shows how people feel about returning to the workplace