A divided workforce: Lockdown causing rifts between Scottish workers as expectations of employee and employers changes
The impact of Covid-19 is creating tension and rifts between colleagues in Scotland and animosity towards employers – however, workers appear to be handling the physical and mental health strain better than many in the UK.
A study by Westfield Health, on the health and wellbeing of the UK’s workforce, revealed the impact on employees, with mistrust, suspicion and envy creating division within teams.
Furloughed and working divides
The research reveals a growing rift between furloughed employees and those still working.
Concerns around personal finances and job security were found to be common amongst furloughed workers and these feelings of financial pressure are exacerbated by just 16% of furloughed workers surveyed in Scotland saying their pay was being topped up and 3% that have been given a date for when their furlough will end.
The research was undertaken before the government's announcement of flexible furlough.
For Scottish workers not on furlough, 17% feel colleagues on furlough have it easy - the lowest in the UK and significantly lower than its average of 28%. Those in work were more likely to report feeling jealous of furloughed workers, with 14% in the country saying they should have been furloughed instead and 24% saying that furloughed workers are getting special treatment.
Even amongst those who are still working, tensions are building. A third (34%) of Scotland’s workers are feeling jealous of their colleagues' home working environments compared to more than four in ten (41%) across the UK. There were also concerns around productivity with 51% saying parents are using their kids as an excuse to do less. However, Scottish workers are not the most suspicious, 58% of Londoners and 53% of those living in the West Midlands believed colleagues were using their kids as excuses.
As a result of this tension, coronavirus seems to be hitting both the physical and mental health of Scottish workers as well. Almost half (45%) of those asked have seen their mental health deteriorate and 29% have seen a drop in their physical health. Despite this Scotland is one of the healthiest in the UK, seeing coronavirus negatively impact the mental health of a fewer people than in the South West, West Midlands and Northern Ireland (56%) among others. For physical health, a similar story follows with regions in England and other countries in the UK seeing a lower percentage of people watch this deteriorate during lockdown.
Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said: "As we begin to reopen parts of the economy and ease lockdown restrictions, one of the first places to feel the impact of these tensions will be the workplace.
"Rifts between those who have been furloughed and those who have carried on working – often with reduced pay – are complex and highly sensitive and can be attached to feelings of self-worth and value. With many business leaders focusing on long-term economic stability, there's a risk they'll overlook the challenge and importance of re-unifying divided teams.
"Our experiences and emotions from this time are not shared, they are very personal and our isolation from others is making this worse. A productive, thriving business is one that works as a unit. Being aware of and actively working to bridge these divides will be key to getting UK business back on track."
Employees have high expectations after lockdown
The report revealed that many think their employer is already falling short creating angst between employer and employee. Just 15% in Scotland say the company they work for could have handled the crisis better but a third (33%) say they're anxious about work.
The pandemic has also increased expectations when it comes to support from employers. More than a quarter (27%) of employees want more mental health support, 26% want additional wellbeing support but just 19% are looking for more help from companies when it comes to physical health.
The report also revealed that many workers are keen to keep aspects of lockdown life when it comes to ways of working. Almost half (44%) of workers will miss the way they have worked when going back to the office (lower than the 51% UK average) and just over a fifth (22%) of all people believe they will work from home more often in the future - a clear opportunity for employers.
Dave Capper continues: "The biggest mistake businesses can make at the moment is thinking things will go back to how they were. Perceptions of colleagues, employers and how we work have all changed - we're returning to somewhere we've never been before. The businesses that will recover and thrive over the next few years will be the ones who see this as an opportunity."
More information on Westfield Health can be found here: https://www.westfieldhealth.com/
