According to a new study from workplace technology firm Envoy, 73% of US workers are concerned about the impact returning to the office will have on their health and safety.
Although the majority of respondents (94%) said they do want to return to the office, three-quarters of workers said they would consider quitting their job if they did not feel safe within the workspace.
The Protecting the Workplace study also found that 40% are worried about not knowing if someone comes into the office sick, as well as fear of too many people in the workplace.
However, employers must be careful with how far they pry into their employees’ personal health information. 37% of workers said they would consider switching jobs if their privacy felt intruded upon.
This shift is highlighting a privilege that white collar workers have over blue collar professions. For instance, 84% of business or tech serve professionals said they are more likely to leave their job than those in construction of manufacturing (71%).
Of those who have returned to the office, 42% said they saw measures not being enforced, including distancing, mask requirements and hand-washing practices.
“In order for companies to reopen safely and quickly, they’ll need to adopt technologies that create a more dynamic and responsive workplace that meets the needs of its workers, so that employees can return to the office confidently,” said Larry Gadea, founder and CEO of Envoy.
