CHICAGO – June 19, 2020 – In spite of the record number of employees now working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most employers (70%) do not have a formal policy for their workforce who are required to work from home (versus voluntary request). This is among the findings of a recent employer survey conducted by the non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH).
“As we are all dealing with a new normal it’s not a surprise that the majority of employers have no formal policies in place,” said Cheryl Larson, MBGH president and CEO. “It does speak to the need to be prepared now and potentially in the future. These surveys are one of the ways our employer members are sharing and learning with each other about what works and what does not work.”
Additional findings:
- Only 25% of employers indicated that they offer monetary allowances to purchase equipment or supplies for employees permanently working from home. Of those that said they offer an allowance, the dollar amount was determined in different ways, taken on a case-by-case basis and varies by position.
- Employers indicated that they offered reimbursement or an allowance for equipment including laptop (66%), monitor (43%), cell phone (40%) and a printer (15%).
- When asked about requirements placed on employees, policies varied with 47% stating “other” such as posting start and end times, flexible work arrangements and availability to participate on calls and video conferences during the workday. Additionally, 13% of respondents require availability during working hours and 26% indicated that they do not have specific requirements.
The online survey was conducted in May with 53 employer responses, most were manufacturing organizations with 1,000 to 5,000 employees.
About the Midwest Business Group on Health
MBGH is one of the nation’s leading non-profit employer coalitions of over 130 mid, large and jumbo self-funded public and private employers, representing almost 4 million lives and annually spending over $12 billion on health care. Members consist of leading health benefit professionals, with activities focused on education, research, benchmarking and community-based initiatives that increase the value of health benefits and health care services. MBGH is a founding member of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. mbgh.org
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MBGH MEDIA CONTACT:
Cary Conway
cary@conwaycommunication.com
972.649.4707
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