Are they staying home or are they coming in?
That was one of the questions posed to Focus NJ Executive Director Nicole Sandelier following a “Back to Work in a Post-Pandemic World” report issued on Wednesday.
“We’re seeing almost 50% of the workforce is back in person, while 50% of the workforce is still working remote,” Sandelier told NJ Spotlight News business reporter Rhonda Schaffler. “The majority, over 60% of businesses, are considering or have adopted a hybrid workforce – meaning there is some portion of in-person working, but also working at home, as well.”
The survey, jointly conducted by Focus NJ, NJBIA’s nonprofit research foundation, and Brother International Corporation, found New Jersey businesses experienced a loss in productivity and earnings during the pandemic – which is continuing into this year.
Sandelier told NJ101.5 News that more than half say revenue is down this year compared to the same period in 2020. Another 16% say recouping losses will take more than two years. And 26% say it could take up to a year.
On average, Sandelier said, businesses have spent or are spending $34,000 on new technologies to keep their businesses up and running in an all-remote or semi-remote format, the survey finds.
“Businesses also spent an additional $7,000 on average investing in personal protective equipment and to make the workplace safe,” Sandelier told NJ101.5 News reporter Dino Flammia.
Sandelier reported that two-thirds of businesses said they’re actively encouraging employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.