According to a new Korn Ferry survey, even when they are cleared to do so, many professionals say they will not be going back to the office, with half saying they are afraid to return.
Fewer than a third (32%) say it is highly likely that they will return to their office when it re-opens. Half (50%) say they are fearful of going back due to health concerns, even though 75% say they believe their employer will create a safe and healthy work environment for them. 40% of respondents say their employer will not make it mandatory that they return to the office.
While half (50%) say camaraderie with colleagues is what they are most looking forward to upon returning to the office, 1 in 5 (20%) say there is nothing that they are looking forward to about being back in the office.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) say they are more productive when they work from home than from the office, even with distractions such as having children or a spouse at home with them.
92% believe there will be fewer in-person meetings post COVID-19 crisis, and 87% say they will be more productive as a result of less time in meetings.
Additional survey insights include:
When your employer re-opens offices, how likely is it that you will go back to the office?
|
Highly likely
|
32%
|
|
Somewhat likely
|
38%
|
|
Not likely
|
30%
|
Are you afraid to go back to the office when it re-opens due to health concerns?
How confident are you that your employer will create a safe/healthy workspace for you when you return to the office?
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Very confident
|
38%
|
|
Somewhat confident
|
37%
|
|
Somewhat unconfident
|
13%
|
|
Not at all confident
|
12%
|
Will your employer make it mandatory for you to go back to the office when it opens back up?
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Yes, every day
|
14%
|
|
Yes, but not every day
|
46%
|
|
No
|
40%
|
Do you think that post COVID-19 there will be more or fewer in-person meetings?
|
More meetings
|
8%
|
|
Fewer meetings
|
92%
|
If you think there will be fewer in-person meetings post COVID-19, how do you think that will impact productivity?
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I will be much more productive
|
39%
|
|
I will be somewhat more productive
|
48%
|
|
I will be somewhat less productive
|
10%
|
|
I will be much less productive
|
3%
|
Are you more productive working from home (even if there are distractions such as a spouse or children) or from the office?
What are you most looking forward to when you return to the office?
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Having a dedicated work/office space
|
19%
|
|
Camaraderie with colleagues
|
50%
|
|
In-person, face-to-face meetings with my manager
|
6%
|
|
Dressing professionally
|
5%
|
|
Nothing
|
20%
|
Additional ASE Resources
Virtual Work Resources - For helpful information on virtual work please visit the ASE Virtual Work Resources webpage.
Source: Korn Ferry