Media Contact: Heather Nezich, Communications Manager, 248.223.8040, [email protected]

Troy, MI --- August 16, 2021 --- ASE, Michigan’s largest employer association, has released the results of its most recent COVID-19 Pulse Survey.  The survey examined employers’ plans around return-to-work, vaccinations, and how they are being affected by the Delta variant.

Specific highlights from the COVID-19 Pulse Survey include the following:

Delta Variant

• Among the 143 employers surveyed, nearly 30% stated the recent increase in COVID-19 infections and the recent news regarding the Delta variant changed their organization's pandemic preparedness response or approach.

Vaccinations

• A majority of those surveyed (74.1%) will continue to encourage vaccinations, but not mandate them.

• Of those who encourage the vaccine, 16.3% are considering a mandate.

• Few employers surveyed (4.9%) require proof of vaccination for in-person work, and just 13.3% are considering doing so.

Remote Work

• 36.4% of employers stated that all or most employees have fully returned to the office; 27.3% have implement a staggered approach where all or most employees are required to return to the workplace for a minimum number of days per week.

• Just 7% of those companies who have not returned to work have set a formal date for a return to in-person work.  Of those companies, 60% plan to be fully open for hybrid or in-person work by September 2021.

Safety Protocols

• 42.7% of those surveyed currently require face coverings at work.  Another 27.3% of respondents are considering the measure.  When required for in-person work, 34.4% of respondents stated they are required only for unvaccinated employees.  55.7% require masking for all employees.

• Regarding travel, 58% of employers allow domestic travel, 32.2% allow both domestic and international, and 9.8% are not allowing business travel at this time.

The data was released by ASE President & CEO, Mary E. Corrado. “We are seeing a slow and careful return to the office.  The Delta variant does not seem to be having much of an effect on return-to-work plans or vaccination policy. This is likely due to the already conservative approach most employers are taking to the return to work,” stated Corrado.

ASE members can access the full survey results in their ASE Member Dashboard.  Non-members can request the survey results here.

About ASE

ASE is Michigan’s trusted HR partner.  ASE is a non-profit, membership organization – everything we do is based on the needs of members and to drive the success of their organizations.  ASE strengthens organization's HR departments by offering member benefits and discounted services that span the entire employee lifecycle including recruitment, development, and retention while minimizing compliance risk. We provide our members guidance through new legislation and workplace issues such as those currently occurring with the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about ASE at www.aseonline.org.