This blog looks at how employees’ expectations of their employers and their workplaces are changing, especially their expectations of workplace air quality and hygiene standards.
It’s been more than two years since the COVID-19 virus surged into global consciousness, and during that time, countless things have changed. In July 2020, 239 scientists signed an open letter appealing to the medical community to recognise the potential risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19. It fell largely on deaf ears.
Today, it’s widely accepted that COVID-19 spreads when infected particles are inhaled or come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth. That means the virus is most likely to spread in poorly ventilated or crowded indoor settings, especially settings in which people spend long periods. Like the office…
Employees’ changing expectations of the workplace
Not everybody was ready to come back to the office after lockdowns eased and workplaces started to reopen. Or not the office how it used to be. The great resignation of 2021 saw employees bargaining for better pay, better perks, more flexibility, and better treatment, and the bargaining power has shifted in their favour.
In order to not only tempt employees back to the office, but also stop them from leaving, employers have been forced to change their definition of a good work environment. Flexibility and wellness are key, with Deloitte’s 022 GenZ Millennial survey reporting that millennials are pushing for more purposeful—and more flexible—work, with better mental health and wellness support.
Rentokil Initial recently commissioned a global hygiene study to gain insight into how the pandemic has changed people’s perceptions of hygiene standards at work and at home.
Just one of the many insights was that people are more aware than ever of airborne transmission, and that 84% of employees felt it was important that their employers create a safe and hygienic workplace.
Employees are paying closer attention to how safe they feel within the work environment their employers are providing.
Expectations of workplace air quality
The survey revealed the increasing importance of clean air to people. According to results, 72% are more concerned about the spread of germs via the air they breathe indoors than before the COVID-19 pandemic. With the focus shifting to airborne transmission of Covid-19 over the last year, it’s hardly a surprise.
Over two-thirds of respondents (68%) expressed increased concern about the number of pollutants in the indoor air, while 71% of people are more concerned now about the impact of poor indoor air quality in a public venue on their health than before the pandemic.
Creating better workplace air quality
Poor indoor air quality is an invisible threat, so employees need a demonstrable, visible reassurance that workplace air quality is being taken seriously.
Good air hygiene in spaces where people are together for long periods is an essential component of air safety measures when trying to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases, such as COVID-19.
But simply opening the windows in the office isn’t enough. Not only is that not practical as winter approaches, it also increases exposure to external air pollution. Businesses are, therefore, faced with a dilemma: guard against air pollution by keeping windows closed, but, in turn, increase the risk from COVID-19 and other common workplace illnesses.
Noticeable air purification units – such as the VIRUSKILLER or Inspire Air 72, placed in suitable locations for maximum efficacy will not only improve comfort levels, concentration levels, and reduce sickness and absenteeism, but they will also provide visual reassurance – one of the important ways to show employees that you’re implementing high standards of air hygiene and that you care about your people.
Air purification is one of the clean air strategies recommended by the International Well Building Institute in its special report on building resilience and recovery. They recommend limiting sources of indoor pollution and increasing the supply of good quality air.
The next step for improving workplace air quality
Indoor air quality should be a big concern to employers and employees alike, because it can impact everyone’s health, comfort, wellbeing, and productivity, and it’s a concern that isn’t going to disappear any time soon.
Employee expectations and attitudes towards cleaner air have changed because of the pandemic and these expectations are here to stay. Employers would do well to take these expectations seriously, when looking to entice colleagues back to the office – or to prevent unnecessary resignations.
Explore our range of industry-leading air purifiers and then contact Ambius today to take the first step in building employee trust and reassurance.
Leave a Reply