A new Gensler report of 2,300-plus office workers found that at least half want companies to make some policy changes to keep them healthy before they return to work following COVID-19 shutdowns.
The study found that workers want stronger policies against coming to work sick, increased opportunities to work from home, and more rigorous office cleaning. A large majority of respondents said they’re more effective when they’re at the office and are eager to return.
The finding that workers prefer to work in the office is consistent with data that Gensler has collected since 2005. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers who had a choice about where to work spent 72% of their average work-week in the office, while just 12% worked from home.
Most respondents said they value face-to-face interactions over virtual ones, and miss their ability to communicate with their co-workers in person. To feel comfortable returning to the office, however, workers want their employers to adopt social distancing practices, and are open to adopting a shift schedule or a wider variety of working hours.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
New drinking water standard criteria further restricts lead leaching in plumbing products
Tightened standard applies to endpoint devices that dispense drinking water, and other plumbing components
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
Groups sue CDC over eviction moratorium
Natl. Apartment Assn. and New Civil Liberties Alliance want hearing by October.
Codes and Standards | Sep 24, 2020
Benefits of building enclosure commissioning include reduced costs
Savings achieved in less rework and fewer and shorter punch lists.
Codes and Standards | Sep 23, 2020
Intl. Code Council aims to stay ahead of new tech, efficiency trends, and resiliency
Passive survivability, social resiliency, and community health among the goals.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2020
Air cleaners, chemical and UV treatments among tools to safeguard indoor air amid pandemic
Strategies augment social distancing, increased air flow to combat COVID-19 spread.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2020
No ease of lumber price spikes in sight
Wildfires strike Northwest timber industry in wake of Covid-19 shutdowns.
Codes and Standards | Sep 17, 2020
Spate of energy code appeals could hamper efficiency progress
Construction and fossil fuel interests oppose portions of latest model energy code.
Codes and Standards | Sep 16, 2020
Heat pumps are the future for hot water
Sustainability policies will drive trend.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2020
Taller timber buildings approved in National Fire Protection Association code
Ensures compatibility with the International Building Code.
Codes and Standards | Sep 14, 2020
Relocation of neighborhoods, the next step in U.S. flood strategy, is underway
Repeated rebuilding after successive floods now seen as bad policy.