Employers must focus on public health and wellness as they develop new workplace policies, and returning to normal without applying insights gained over the pandemic will come at a cost.
Employees will face added public health costs for their families as coverage for COVID testing, vaccines, and anti-viral medication will no longer be free for everyone.
- Employers must focus on workplace well-being to meet ongoing public health challenges.
- The workforce is still dealing with the health consequences and threats of COVID.
- Employers should consider how workers may be at risk and need tailored resources and support navigating new policies.
- Access to telemedicine, including mental health therapy, will soon be more limited, and mental health needs are a consequence of the pandemic.
- Company policies related to vaccinations and screenings, including workplace flextime, will be re-evaluated.
- Workforces need in-office, hybrid, or remote policies articulated clearly and often, so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
- The pandemic brought a new level of flexibility here to stay, and 60% of workers prefer a hybrid work arrangement.
- The Biden Administration is lifting the public health emergency on May 11, and various protections and policies will be disbanded.
