Majority of retail office workers feel unsafe returning to work after Covid-19

Only 28% of office workers in the retail, catering and leisure sector feel safe returning to work after the pandemic, despite new health and safety measures that have been put in place.

This is according to new research from insurance provider Protectivity, which asked office workers around the UK how they’re feeling about going back to work as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease.

The firm also found that 43% of those surveyed enjoyed working from home, with more than a third (34%) saying they would consider changing to a part remote role in the future. Additionally, more than 1 in 5 (23%) are seeking a new career path post-lockdown.

Protecitvity said although just over one in five (22%) people are looking forward to resuming face-to-face meetings with colleagues, office chatter “isn’t something that has been missed quite as much”, with almost a quarter (24%) admitting to getting distracted by colleagues talking.

Loud phone calls (16%), an untidy workplace (15%) and loud eating and chewing (10%) are also among other workplace “pet peeves” that many have avoided while working from home.

Sean Walsh, marketing manager from Protectivity Insurance, said: “The past few months have had a significant impact on all areas of our lives, however the way in which we approach our work is one area that has undoubtedly changed more than the rest.

“Although there is some concern around returning to the workplace and many people have quickly adapted to working remotely, there is still a clear demand for office-based working with more than one in five people looking forward to returning to face-to-face meetings.”