52% Of Aussies Don’t Want To Return To The Office
More than half of Australians (52 per cent) feel uncomfortable about returning to the workplace right now with the vast majority (93 per cent) of people saying it is important that they are allowed to work remotely at any point if they feel unsafe.
This is the key finding from Qualtrics’ Return to Work & Back to Business Study, a survey which asked 507 Australians how confident they felt about returning to the workplace or visiting public establishments right now—and what it would take for them to feel comfortable doing so.
While the majority of workers (60 per cent) expect to return to the workplace by the end of July, around one in three Australian respondents say a treatment (32 per cent) or vaccine (34 per cent) for COVID-19 must be approved for them to feel comfortable returning to the workplace. Furthermore, around half want to wait for state (53 per cent) and federal (49 per cent) government approval before returning to the office.
“Australia has done remarkably well to flatten the curve and it’s exciting to see government ease restrictions for businesses. But as they do employers and businesses need to remember the pace with which they are re-opening might not match their employees’ or customers’ readiness to return,” said Qualtrics managing director in APJ Brigid Archibald.
“Employee and customer expectations have accelerated at an unprecedented rate in recent months. As restrictions continue to lift, organisations and governments need to understand how employee and customer behaviours and attitudes have changed so that they can take actions helping them feel confident during this next phase of the ‘new normal’. Those organisations able to rapidly listen, understand, and act on the issues that make employees and customers feel confident to return – using tools like the Qualtrics Return to Work Pulse – will have a distinct advantage in this uncertain and rapidly changing period,” added Archibald.
Returning to work – key findings
The survey found that before they feel ready to return to work, employees want their employers to put the following safety practices in place:
- 63 per cent of workers want hand sanitiser and cleaning supplies available in the office
- 52 per cent want policies prohibiting handshakes and hugs
- 49 per cent want social distancing enforced
- 45 per cent want limits to sizes of workplace meetings
- 42 per cent want people with compromised health to be required to work from home
Once they do return to work, employees said they would feel more comfortable if the following measures are taken by their employer to protect themselves and their co-workers:
- 93 per cent of workers want to be allowed to work remotely at any point if they feel unsafe
- 88 per cent of workers want to limit the number of people in an in-person work meeting
- 79 per cent of workers want everyone to have their temperature checked each day before entering the workplace
- 60 per cent of workers said it was important to them that employees be required to wear masks
Getting back to business – key findings
Despite restrictions starting to ease, people still don’t feel confident interacting with each other and almost half (49 per cent) think we will never “get back to normal”.
Over two thirds (63 per cent) or respondents admit they still feel uncomfortable going to the gym, despite gyms and other indoor activities like yoga and pilates starting to reopen. In addition, more than half (58 per cent) of respondents say they would feel uncomfortable playing a team sport and a similar proportion (52 per cent) wouldn’t want to attend a religious service.
Live concert and sporting events: While sporting events like the NRL and AFL have restarted and will begin to welcome back spectators, two-thirds (66 per cent) of respondents say they wouldn’t feel comfortable attending a live sporting event until September 1 or later. This number increases to 76 per cent when applied to attending a live concert until September 1 or later.
Restaurants: Though restaurants have started to reopen, almost half (49 per cent) of people say they would feel uncomfortable eating at a restaurant right now. More than a third (39 per cent) of people say they wouldn’t feel comfortable eating in a restaurant until September 1 or later.
Even after public health officials say it’s safe, and a treatment or vaccine for the virus is readily available, there are a number of measures people want to see in place before they feel comfortable dining at a restaurant:
- 13 per cent want tables separated at a safe distance
- 13 per cent want social distancing established
- 9 per cent want servers and staff to wear gloves and masks
- 9 per cent want their temperatures checked before going into the restaurant
Flights and public transit: When it comes to public transport, almost two thirds (59 per cent) of people feel uncomfortable using it right now, and 71 per cent would feel uncomfortable flying on an airplane.
“As measures lift and businesses continue to reopen in the coming weeks and months, it’s essential they can understand how customers feel. Identifying the measures customers want to see implemented allows businesses to take action in the areas that matter most. Capturing feedback from frontline staff and digital channels will equip organisations with the data they need to cultivate consumer trust and confidence, and ultimately move forward,” added Archibald.
Latest News
History Has Arrived: It’s The Cairns Crocodiles Inaugural Shortlist
Pen the acceptance speech and ready your best thongs and muumuu, because the Cairns Crocodiles shortlist has arrived.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Integral Ad Science, a global media measurement and optimization platform, today announced a market integration with Roblox, a global immersive platform for connection and communication. Available for advertising campaigns on Roblox later this year, IAS’s Viewability and Invalid Traffic (IVT) Measurement products will provide advertisers increased transparency into the quality of their Immersive Ads within […]
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.
Bumble Reveals New Brand Identity To Usher In New Era Of Dating
It's ironic that all the dating apps market themselves as having no weirdos, freaks or mummy's boys like their rivals.
Stay In The House From Up! Airbnb Introduces Icons
Airbnb is now letting people stay in "iconic" places that sadly doesn't include the house from Silence Of The Lambs.
Changing The Conversation: The Role Of Media In Ending Violence Against Women
Governments are finally waking up to the DV crisis. Here, B&T chats with Jasmin Bedir on the role media can play.
“If You Want To Listen To Something Else, Go For It”: Fifi Box On Blocking Out The Noise & Focussing On What Works
No one is at the coal face of Melbourne radio like Fifi Box. Here, she chats with B&T without coughing up a lung.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Ferrari Signs Landmark New Title Sponsor
B&T continuing our series on sports sponsorships. And, yet again, there's little good news for the ten pin bowlers.
Choose A Path Less Trodden This Cannes In Cairns
Not since Wonka opened the factory has there been such a hot ticket in town. Here's how to make the most of Cairns.
Cannes In Cairns MC Keeva Stratton Shares Her Top Session Picks
Quip boss calls out her highlights of the Cannes agenda. We're assuming B&T staff b-boy demonstration was an oversight.
Here Are The Agencies That Made AFR’s Best Places To Work List And What The Industry Can Learn From Them
Did your office not make the list? Make sure your boss shouts at least two schooners at office drinks come Friday.
Get Ready, B&T’s Best Of The Best Is Back With The Top Holding Company Executive Leaders – Creative!
Want to know who the Grandest of the Grand Poobahs in the industry are? Look no further than this exhaustive list.
How A Glittering Campaign Helped The Australian Museum Sell 400,000 Tickets
B&T thoroughly enjoyed the Ramses exhibition at The Australian Museum, despite thinking we were going to the Archibald.
TV Ratings (30/04/2024): A “Shoey” Straight From A Fish’s Mouth Launches The Cheap Seats Into 2024
Last night's TV saw horny farmers beat Lego nerds, who beat fame-obsessed home cooks, who beat a chap with a large fish.
Spotlight Extends Partnership With Starlight Children’s Foundation
B&T always happy to promote the excellent work of the Starlight Foundation. Less so the Starfish Fanciers Foundation.
Amazon’s Advertising Quarterly Revenue Soars To $11.8bn
There are so many Amazon couriers visiting B&T headquarters at the moment our office dog doesn't know who to maul first.
VML Wellington Welcomes Jacob McGregor As Pou Ārahi Māori
McGregor set to lead cultural competency and safety at VML Wellington in important new gig.
“They Grow Up So Fast”: Simon Fowler On Five Years Of ABEL
Abel's CEO talks lessons learned from the agency's first five years. Including staff nicking all the Nespresso capsules.
Kyle & Jackie O Urge Melbourne To Pick A Side
Who can stop Kyle & Jackie O's indelible march into Melbourne radio? Is Peter 'Moony' Moon waiting by the phone?
Future & Taika Waititi Feature In Striking New Global Belvedere Campaign
Not only does drinking vodka make you cool like these dudes, it also has great weight loss properties for the bone idle.
The Fall Of Bonza: A Case Study In How To, And Not To, React In A Crisis
Does the collapse of yet another budget airline hark back to a gentler time of 17 hours spent on a Greyhound bus?
Opinion: Agencies, Be Unique – Stop Using The Word “Unique!”
Trinity P3's Ellie Angell says agencies are overusing the word unique. You could add omnichannel & holisitic to that.
Ex Marketing & Advertising Exec Releases Melanoma Memoir
Ex-adlander Anne Gately has penned a tome to skin cancer. Which is a handy reminder to check your moles, people.
Mamamia Appoint Danni Wright As New Head Of Strategy
Danni Wright takes up Mamamia's strategy reins with a feng shui expert called over positioning of office chaise lounge.
From The Bureau: Championing Competency & Cross-Industry Collaboration
The IAB's Jonas Jaanimagi calls for more specialisation in adtech. Meaning you'll understand it less than you already do.
oh crapola……..since when does 507 people representing every working person in the country constitute a survey with any accuracy and what geographic was it conducted?..Melborne/Sydney?