Month: August 2020

Back in the spring there was considerable interest in viral and antibody testing among employers developing worksite return protocols. But survey results show that testing as a requirement for return to work has been largely set aside. Mercer, a leading human resources consulting firm, said that only 5% of respondents to a July survey required (or planned to require) employees to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to the worksite, and just 2% required or planned to require a positive test for antibodies. Beyond the basics of asking employees about COVID-19 exposure or symptoms,facilitating physical distancing and hand hygiene, and requiring (or encouraging) mask-wearing, contact tracing has emerged as a leading strategy in efforts to keep employees safe at the worksite. Well over half of employers in Mercer’s current survey say they now conduct contact tracing.

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Without schools or caregivers to rely on, some employees, particularly women, are making the difficult choice to leave the workforce or cut back their hours, despite the long-term damage to their finances and careers. Mercer, a leading human resources consulting firm, surveyed over 750 employers and said the great majority are allowing parents to change their schedules or offering other forms of flexibility to help them cope during the pandemic. So far only 8% have added or expanded direct childcare assistance, such as onsite, nearsite, or back-up childcare, but we expect to see this number increase. Childcare support is becoming a new essential employer benefit.

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