The enduring impacts of COVID-19 continue to challenge industries across the UK, particularly affecting ‘deskless’ workers.
- A new study reveals that 59% of workers in manufacturing, care, construction, and retail sectors report negative effects from the pandemic on business operations.
- 30% of workers believe their companies have become less efficient due to their handling of the pandemic crisis.
- Employees report lower satisfaction levels, with issues like staff shortages and reduced training opportunities being significant factors.
- The transition to online training has been largely unpopular, raising concerns about its effectiveness and the value it adds.
The pandemic’s lingering consequences remain a considerable challenge for UK businesses, particularly in ‘deskless’ industries such as manufacturing, care, construction, and retail. According to recent research, 59% of workers in these sectors feel the pandemic continues to have a detrimental impact on their companies. This sentiment suggests the potential for serious ramifications if these issues are not addressed effectively.
A significant number of employees, almost 30%, perceive a decline in their companies’ efficiency due to the pandemic-induced transitions. This inefficiency is attributed to their organisation’s response to COVID-19, highlighting the ongoing operational challenges that businesses face in adapting to a post-pandemic environment.
Employee satisfaction has notably declined, with 37% stating that their experience at work has worsened since the onset of the pandemic. Issues contributing to this decline include staff shortages, reduced in-person training, poor communication, and limited development opportunities. Such factors are having adverse effects on the motivation and productivity of the workforce.
These challenges are compounded by the fact that 85% of companies have implemented new policies for deskless workers post-pandemic, with 80% maintaining these practices. Changes such as increased use of video calls and online training, though favoured by some, have resulted in decreased face-to-face interactions, which many workers find dissatisfying.
The shift towards online training, in particular, has not been well-received. A significant 85% of employees engaged in online training report negative impacts, citing feelings of disengagement and concerns about the effectiveness of the learning. Many believe this shift reduces the value of training to a mere tick box exercise, failing to truly enhance skills or career prospects.
The ongoing effects of the pandemic on ‘deskless’ industries pose significant risks to UK businesses, necessitating prompt and effective action to address these issues.
