The increase in Covid-19 cases is prompting some firms to rethink plans to reopen their offices. Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) reported that while many announced plans to reopen their offices after Labor Day, 54% of professionals say their companies have changed their plans.
It also found that 22% of respondents said it won’t be until 2022 when they will go back to the office. And 32% said they will “never” return to the office.
“Most organizations have been very successful at maintaining — or even improving — employee productivity during the transition to virtual work environments,” said Elise Freedman, Korn Ferry organization strategy and workforce transformation practice leader. “We’ve proven that being in the office is not mission critical to professionals getting their jobs done.”
When a return to the office does come, 32% of respondents say vaccines or negative Covid tests will be required, and 73% say masks will be required while inside the office.
“If employees feel their employers aren’t taking their well-being seriously enough, they will leave and find an employer who does,” Freedman said.
The survey included 378 professionals and took place this month.