![Insights in action icon](/wp-content/uploads/icon-inner-idea-execute.png)
Insights in action
With the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the road ahead remains complicated as many employers are announcing delays or shifts in their return to work plans. The good news is nearly 2 in 3 employees (64%) are more comfortable going to their workplace than a restaurant but there are still concerns about what employees want for their return. Eagle Hill Consulting research finds employees have mixed views on issues including workplace re-openings, vaccination requirements, and how to treat unvaccinated employees. But, employees agree that they want employers involved in many parameters around workplace safety.
Employers that remain flexible and listen to employee views are best positioned to navigate through more COVID-19 uncertainty. It’s even more important for employers to fully understand what employees want given the acute labor shortage. Unlike the early days of the pandemic, workers aren’t afraid to quit their jobs. Retaining talent means creating a culture and work environment—virtual or in person—that is aligned with employee preferences.
– Melissa Jezior, Eagle Hill President & CEO
The COVID-19 Delta variant triggers workplace concerns for many U.S. workers
Given the rise in COVID-19 Delta variant, does this impact:
![44% willing to go to workplace icon](/wp-content/uploads/icon-inner-buildings.png)
44%
your willingness to go to the workplace
![50% fear contracting the virus icon](/wp-content/uploads/icon-inner-covid.png)
50%
your fear of contracting the virus
![61% take precations at work icon](/wp-content/uploads/icon-inner-mask.png)
61%
precautions you take at work
![64% take precautions in personal life icon](/wp-content/uploads/icon-inner-vial.png)
64%
precautions you take in your personal life
Employees are largely split on actions employers should take before returning to in-person work
Workers are evenly divided on whether employers should require employee vaccinations
Should your employer require vaccinations?
![Workers evenly divided on whether employers should require employee vaccinations—bar graph](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-1.png)
Many U.S. workers are supportive of employers asking about worker vaccination status
Should your employer ask about vaccination status?
![58% say employer should ask about vaccination status—doughnut chart](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-2.png)
58% YES
42% NO
Workers are evenly divided on whether employers should require proof of employee vaccinations
Should your employer require proof of vaccination?
![52% say employers should require proof of employee vaccinations—doughnut chart](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-3.png)
52% YES
48% NO
Nearly 2 in 3 workers want employers to institute special precautions for unvaccinated
Should your employer institute special precautions for unvaccinated?
![2 in 3 workers want employers to institute special precautions for unvaccinated—doughnut chart](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-4.png)
63% YES
37% NO
A strong majority of employees want their employers to offer incentives for vaccinated employees
Should your employer offer incentives (such as money, paid time off, gift cards, etc.) for vaccinated employees?
![A majority of employees want their employers to offer incentives for vaccinated employees—bar graph](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-5.png)
Employees are increasingly supportive of punitive actions for unvaccinated employees
Employees say unvaccinated colleagues should NOT be able to:
![No special allowances to work from home icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-house.png)
63%
Be given special allowances to work from home
+8% since April
![No travel for work icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-plane.png)
51%
Travel for work
+7% since April
![No work in-person with customers icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-customers.png)
44%
Work in-person with customers
+5% since April
![No work in-person with co‑workers icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-in-person.png)
40%
Work in-person with co‑workers
+5% since April
![Not stay with employer icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-star.png)
24%
Stay with their employer
+7% since April
Over 40% of workers also think unvaccinated employees should pay higher health insurance rates
Should unvaccinated employees be expected to pay higher health insurance rates?
![Over 40% of workers say unvaccinated employees should pay higher health insurance rates—doughnut chart](/wp-content/uploads/delta-return2work-6.png)
41% YES
59% NO
Employees want their employers to play an active role in COVID-19 precautions
My employer should require or encourage employees to:
![Social distance icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-social.png)
Social
distance
August: 77%
April: 84%
February: 89%
![Wear masks icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-mask.png)
Wear
masks
August: 73%
April: 81%
February: 87%
![Have temperature checked icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-thermometer.png)
Have their
temperature checked
August: 67%
April: 74%
February: 81%
![Receive regular COVID-19 testing icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-covid.png)
Receive regular
COVID-19 testing
August: 61%
April: 64%
February: 69%
![Wear personal protective equipment icon](/wp-content/uploads/vaccines-icon-gloves.png)
Wear personal
protective equipment
August: 58%
April: 62%
February: 71%
The 2021 Eagle Hill Consulting COVID-19 Vaccines and the Workplace Survey measures employee sentiment about COVID-19 vaccines, returning to the workplace, as well as testing and safety protocols. Conducted by Ipsos from August 8-11, 2021, this national survey includes 1,010 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S. This poll follows similar research conducted from April 7-9, Feb 5-9, 2021, and from December 4‑8, 2020.