Survey suggests many workers anxious about return to offices

More than one-in-three people working from home because of the virus crisis want a vaccine or an antibody test before returning to offices, a new study suggests.

Research by insurance firm Canada Life indicated concerns about reverting to prepandemic working, especially among women.

A survey of more than 600 adults who have swapped offices for desks at home over the past few months showed that almost a fifth believe it will be several years before working practices return to normal.

Respondents would like to see routine temperature checks, regular coronavirus testing in the office and socially distanced desks.

One-in-four wanted to be given the choice as to whether they return at all to offices.

Workers wanting to return to offices said they were looking forward to getting back to a routine, having fewer distractions and improved mental health.

Paul Avis of Canada Life said: “After such a long period of time working from home, many of us have developed new ways of working and fallen into new routines, and while lots of workers are looking forward to getting ‘back to normal’, many feel like the ‘new normal’ will never be the same as it once was.

“But as anyone who may have spent the last few months working from a single-bedroom flat will testify, a return to the workplace will come as a welcome relief alongside all the social benefits that brings.

“Employers have a clear responsibility to ensure their workers feel safe returning to the workplace and are given the time and support they need to feel comfortable doing so.”