We have seen so much change throughout the pandemic that it forces us to rethink our priorities and be smarter in the way we operate and how we reach our customers. Many were skeptical that these changes lead to similar productivity. However, as we prioritize our health during the pandemic, working from home has become important and many (24%) have adapted so well that they want to continue to do so.
When we started working from home, the main concern of many was setting up an office, maintaining camaraderie, and continuing to meet with clients. During the spring, as I watched the cancellation or submission of the annual spring conferences to an online format, I deeply felt the void previously filled by those intense social interactions. It seems that with any luck the stops will pass and we will return to our normal activity. But with the pandemic spreading in the summer and many losing their jobs to the epidemic, it has become clear to all of us that we are approaching a different modus operandi that is likely to have lasting effects.
Before the pandemic, workers had valued employer-sponsored health benefits, but likely underestimated their value. In response to the new coronavirus pandemic, many health insurance companies have quickly adjusted benefit packages to ensure coverage of Covid-19 tests and more. So, with public health and the fear of disease looming over our minds, health insurance during a pandemic has become a vital benefit. In a recent survey from my company, 64% of respondents rated their health insurance coverage as "excellent" or "good."
An economic slowdown to curb the virus could cause nearly 27 million Americans to lose their employer-sponsored health insurance during the pandemic, according to KFF's May 2020 estimate. This instability also affects those who might consider changing jobs to the point that 38% of surveyed workers at my company are now reluctant to change jobs and sacrifice their existing health insurance. What this says is that the pandemic has affected us in unexpected ways, that we have come to depend on our health insurance as a safety net, and that we appreciate the benefit of employer benefits.
At the same time, we had to adapt to a new way of working. Many of us work from home. Fears of the pandemic caused many of us to work from home, and over time we have adapted and adapted. In the beginning, we all shared tips for working from home. For me, working from home was strange because my husband also started working from home. We quietly stressed ourselves while competing for quiet spaces and office supplies until each of us hid in our favorite spots and settled into a new routine.
Now, we appreciate avoiding the morning commute and sharing your lunch breaks. The clock we used to travel is now dedicated to neighborhood walks and more family time. Unsurprisingly, in my company's latest survey, 49% of respondents said that working from home is better for their overall health and well-being, so much so that 40% would take a pay cut to continue working from home. And 33% say that working from home is a very important factor when considering a new job.
The Covid-19 pandemic will undoubtedly have many long-term implications. As we battled the pandemic, we discovered an appreciation for the health care benefits our employers provide and learned that working from home is not just a viable option, it is a preference of many.
Comments
Post a Comment