{"id":40217,"date":"2020-05-14T14:33:49","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T21:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/?p=40217"},"modified":"2020-05-14T14:33:53","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T21:33:53","slug":"enx-magazine-survey-looks-at-back-to-work-preparations-for-industry-companies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/feature-articles\/2020\/05\/enx-magazine-survey-looks-at-back-to-work-preparations-for-industry-companies\/","title":{"rendered":"ENX Magazine Survey Looks at Back-to-Work Preparations for Industry Companies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While some states that are among the hardest hit by COVID-19\nare still in a holding pattern in terms of phased-in reopenings, many others\nacross the U.S. heartland will be attempting to get back to business as usual\nthis month. While results may vary for \u201cbusiness as usual,\u201d we wanted to get\ninsight from readers into their preparations for some semblance of normal\noperations, and what that might look like on at least an interim basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week\u2019s \u201cPreparing to Return to Work\u201d survey attracted\n66% dealers, with nearly 6% of respondents each representing manufacturer\ndirect operations and value-added resellers. The balance was spread across\nsoftware and MPS specialists, managed IT, distributors, supplies resellers and\nOEMs. Midwestern companies led the field at roughly 36%, followed by 23% from\nthe Northeast and 19% from the Southwest. Another 15% represent the Southeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We asked respondents, \u201cHas your state (or states where you\nhave facilities) announced a reopening for May that will enable employees to\nreturn to work?\u201d Nearly 53% said yes and 30% said no, with 17% indicating that\nsome branches are eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In anticipation of reopenings, we asked respondents, \u201cHas your company developed a return-to-office strategy?\u201d Almost 42% noted, \u201cWe have completed a plan.\u201d Another 30% noted, \u201cOur plan is well in process or near complete.\u201d About 25% said \u201cWe are in early stages of planning\u201d while less than 4% replied \u201cWe have not developed a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just when companies will have their full staff on-site is a bit murky. When asked, \u201cWhen do you anticipate being able to have 100% of your staff eligible to return,\u201d about 45% said it is too early to tell. June was selected by 30% and May was chosen by 19%. About 6% estimated a July timetable for 100% of staff returning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Your Move<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing that not all companies will compel their full staff to return once eligible, we asked respondents, \u201cWhen the green light is given for your respective states, what will your on-site staffing be for the first 30 days?\u201d Slightly more than 26% indicated 100%, while 25% or more, 50% or more and 75% or more of the full staff were each selected by 17% of respondents. Another 13% were undecided, while 9% indicated less than 25% of staff would be on hand during the first 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those respondents who did not select 100% compulsory\nin-office attendance, we asked when they would bring back the balance of their\nstaff. About 56% said it was \u201ctoo early to tell.\u201d Another 18% indicated \u201cWe\nwill rotate work-from-home for now\u201d while 10% answered \u201cWithin three months.\u201d\nAbout 8% selected \u201cWithin two months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Understanding that not all employees may feel comfortable returning to the office once the state allows, we asked, \u201cIf a staff member expresses reluctance to returning on-site out of health concerns, will you allow them to continue working from home?\u201d Nearly 55% responded it \u201cDepends on situation.\u201d Yes was the answer for 38% of survey takers, while 6% said no. One respondent indicated yes, if the employee has compromised health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging that businesses may have provided accommodations to ensure the health of their employees, we asked respondents, \u201cIn anticipation of bringing everyone back on site, what measures are you taking?\u201d Nearly all (94%) said they would be offering masks\/gloves while 90% said they would offer hand sanitizing stations. A full 75% will employ social distancing floor\/wall signage, and 56% will reconfigure work stations in support of the six-foot distancing guidelines. Less than 6% indicated none, or that employees would be responsible for their own personal protective equipment. Written responses included sneeze guards, touchless faucets, daily cleaning\/weekly deep cleaning and staggered work times. Another noted, \u201cWe anticipate that some on-site jobs will become remote permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On-Site Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anticipating that companies may seek a proactive approach to\nprotecting employee health, we asked respondents, \u201cWill you offer any degree of\nCOVID-19 testing for employees?\u201d Given the option to choose all that apply, 45%\nindicated they would offer temperature checks. The same percentage was\nundecided, while 19% said they would not offer testing. Third-party testing was\nindicated by 13% and 4% will offer antibodies testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then asked, \u201cWith some states extending quarantine measures through June, do you expect to increase the number of layoffs\/furloughs at your company?\u201d Almost 36% responded, \u201cNo, we anticipate opening on or before June 1.\u201d Another 32% indicated, \u201cNo, the layoffs\/furloughs we have implemented are sufficient.\u201d About 21% checked \u201cundecided\u201d while 11% said yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the prospect of returning on-site looming, we wanted to take the temperature of employee attitudes toward coming back. We asked, allowing for multiple choices, \u201cGauging the feedback you have received from employees, what is their attitude toward returning on-site?\u201d Nearly 53% cited employees are \u201cEager to return to ‘normal’ work routine.\u201d A full 49% noted, \u201cOverall mixed attitudes.\u201d Nearly 19% cited \u201cApprehensive due to health risks\u201d while 15% are \u201cConcerned that businesses are opening too soon.\u201d In the \u201cother\u201d notes, one respondent pointed out employees are \u201cGetting more money to not work because of the government\u2019s $600-a-week stipend.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may seem nit-picky to separate anticipated full-staff returns from actual staffing numbers, we felt it was important to provide a glimpse into how quickly companies will compel employees to return once it is permitted. Geography greatly impacted these numbers and must be taken into consideration in evaluating them, as Midwesterners accounted for 36% of respondents and the Northeast was second-highest at 23%. Generally speaking, the Midwest is poised to once again send employees back to the office, whereas in the Northeast \u2014 one of the regions most impacted by coronavirus \u2014 the process is a bit more protracted. New York and New Jersey are noticing downward trends in new reported cases and fatalities, but not enough to give the green light (though the Empire State is getting closer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, companies are gearing to get back to work on-site, with more than 70% either having completed a return-to-work plan or are just putting the finishing touches on it. Those plans include protective measures to ensure the work environment is as safe as possible while taking the extra step to provide some form of testing. Suffice to say, employees will encounter a significantly altered office environment upon their return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After roughly two months of dealing with life indoors, many employees are champing at the bit to get back into the office, but not surprisingly, there is little agreement among the masses as to what (or when) constitutes a safe return. While companies are doing their part to make the office as safe as possible, the psychological impact could loom large in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, barring a protracted second wave of COVID-19, it seems companies have right-sized their staffs, for the most part, with 89% not needing further job actions in the event of a June closure extension.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While some states that are among the hardest hit by COVID-19 are still in a holding pattern in terms of phased-in reopenings, many others across the U.S. heartland will be attempting to get back to business as usual this month. While results may vary for \u201cbusiness as usual,\u201d we wanted to get insight from readers into their preparations for some semblance of normal operations, and what that might look like on at least an interim basis. This week\u2019s \u201cPreparing to Return to Work\u201d survey attracted 66% dealers, with nearly 6% of respondents each representing manufacturer direct operations and value-added resellers. The balance was spread across software and MPS specialists, managed IT, distributors, supplies resellers and OEMs. Midwestern companies led the field at roughly 36%, followed by 23% from the Northeast and 19% from the Southwest. Another 15% represent the Southeast. We asked respondents, \u201cHas your state (or states where you have facilities) announced a reopening for May that will enable employees to return to work?\u201d Nearly 53% said yes and 30% said no, with 17% indicating that some branches are eligible. In anticipation of reopenings, we asked respondents, \u201cHas your company developed a return-to-office strategy?\u201d Almost 42% noted, \u201cWe have completed a plan.\u201d Another 30% noted, \u201cOur plan is well in process or near complete.\u201d About 25% said \u201cWe are in early stages of planning\u201d while less than 4% replied \u201cWe have not developed a plan.\u201d Just when companies will have their full staff on-site is a bit murky. When asked, \u201cWhen do you anticipate being able to have 100% of your staff eligible to return,\u201d about 45% said it is too early to tell. June was selected by 30% and May was chosen by 19%. About 6% estimated a July timetable for 100% of staff returning. It\u2019s Your Move Recognizing that not all companies will compel their full staff to return once eligible, we asked respondents, \u201cWhen the green light is given for your respective states, what will your on-site staffing be for the first 30 days?\u201d Slightly more than 26% indicated 100%, while 25% or more, 50% or more and 75% or more of the full staff were each selected by 17% of respondents. Another 13% were undecided, while 9% indicated less than 25% of staff would be on hand during the first 30 days. For those respondents who did not select 100% compulsory in-office attendance, we asked when they would bring back the balance of their staff. About 56% said it was \u201ctoo early to tell.\u201d Another 18% indicated \u201cWe will rotate work-from-home for now\u201d while 10% answered \u201cWithin three months.\u201d About 8% selected \u201cWithin two months.\u201d Understanding that not all employees may feel comfortable returning to the office once the state allows, we asked, \u201cIf a staff member expresses reluctance to returning on-site out of health concerns, will you allow them to continue working from home?\u201d Nearly 55% responded it \u201cDepends on situation.\u201d Yes was the answer for 38% of survey takers, while 6% said no. One respondent indicated yes, if the employee has compromised health conditions. Acknowledging that businesses may have provided accommodations to ensure the health of their employees, we asked respondents, \u201cIn anticipation of bringing everyone back on site, what measures are you taking?\u201d Nearly all (94%) said they would be offering masks\/gloves while 90% said they would offer hand sanitizing stations. A full 75% will employ social distancing floor\/wall signage, and 56% will reconfigure work stations in support of the six-foot distancing guidelines. Less than 6% indicated none, or that employees would be responsible for their own personal protective equipment. Written responses included sneeze guards, touchless faucets, daily cleaning\/weekly deep cleaning and staggered work times. Another noted, \u201cWe anticipate that some on-site jobs will become remote permanently.\u201d On-Site Testing Anticipating that companies may seek a proactive approach to protecting employee health, we asked respondents, \u201cWill you offer any degree of COVID-19 testing for employees?\u201d Given the option to choose all that apply, 45% indicated they would offer temperature checks. The same percentage was undecided, while 19% said they would not offer testing. Third-party testing was indicated by 13% and 4% will offer antibodies testing. We then asked, \u201cWith some states extending quarantine measures through June, do you expect to increase the number of layoffs\/furloughs at your company?\u201d Almost 36% responded, \u201cNo, we anticipate opening on or before June 1.\u201d Another 32% indicated, \u201cNo, the layoffs\/furloughs we have implemented are sufficient.\u201d About 21% checked \u201cundecided\u201d while 11% said yes. With the prospect of returning on-site looming, we wanted to take the temperature of employee attitudes toward coming back. We asked, allowing for multiple choices, \u201cGauging the feedback you have received from employees, what is their attitude toward returning on-site?\u201d Nearly 53% cited employees are \u201cEager to return to ‘normal’ work routine.\u201d A full 49% noted, \u201cOverall mixed attitudes.\u201d Nearly 19% cited \u201cApprehensive due to health risks\u201d while 15% are \u201cConcerned that businesses are opening too soon.\u201d In the \u201cother\u201d notes, one respondent pointed out employees are \u201cGetting more money to not work because of the government\u2019s $600-a-week stipend.\u201d\u00a0 Analysis While it may seem nit-picky to separate anticipated full-staff returns from actual staffing numbers, we felt it was important to provide a glimpse into how quickly companies will compel employees to return once it is permitted. Geography greatly impacted these numbers and must be taken into consideration in evaluating them, as Midwesterners accounted for 36% of respondents and the Northeast was second-highest at 23%. Generally speaking, the Midwest is poised to once again send employees back to the office, whereas in the Northeast \u2014 one of the regions most impacted by coronavirus \u2014 the process is a bit more protracted. New York and New Jersey are noticing downward trends in new reported cases and fatalities, but not enough to give the green light (though the Empire State is getting closer). Still, companies are gearing to get back to work on-site, with more than 70% either having completed a return-to-work plan or are just putting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":40218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1650,82,87,1638],"tags":[3824],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40217"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/166"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40217"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40225,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40217\/revisions\/40225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}