The majority of workers across age groups, spanning Boomers to Gen Z, in Singapore are uncomfortable going back to the workplace at present, finds a study by Qualtrics. The survey asked 511 Singaporeans how confident they felt about returning to the workplace or visiting public establishments right now—and what it would take for them to feel comfortable doing so.

While 66% of workers expect to return to the workplace by July, nearly half say a treatment (50%) or vaccine (45%) must be approved for them to feel comfortable returning to the workplace. Furthermore, 62% want to wait for local government approval before returning to work. This tops the list external conditions residents of Southeast Asia want to see before they return.

“With Circuit Breaker measures starting to lift, we are beginning to see businesses and workplaces reopen and return to normal. But as this occurs employers and businesses need to remember the pace with which they are re-opening might not match their employees’ or customers’ readiness to return,” says Mao Gen Foo, Head of Southeast Asia.

The survey found that before they feel ready to return to work, employees want their employers to put the following safety practices in place:

• 69% of workers want all employees to be required to wear masks
• 68% want hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies available throughout the office
• 56% want social distancing enforced
• 53% want temperature checks required

Once they do return to work, employees said they would feel more comfortable if the following measures are taken by their employer to protect themselves and their co-workers:

• 95% of people said it was important to them that employees be required to wear masks
• 93% of people said it was important to them that they are allowed to work remotely at any point if they feel unsafe
• 93% of people said it was important to them to limit the number of people in an in-person work meeting
• 92% of people said it was important to them that social distancing was implemented in the workplace
• 90% of people said it was important to them that everyone has their temperature checked each day before entering the building