Most companies prioritise employee safety: survey

This comes as Singapore prepares to return to the workplace.

Protecting their staff and supporting business continuity emerged as the top human capital priority for 89% and 83% of companies, respectively, according to professional services firm AON. Half of the companies surveyed said they will also leverage their internal experts to prepare for the situation.

This comes as business leaders begin to determine how and when to start the process of returning to the workplace.

In addition, one-third of the respondents have either implemented or have considered implementing a formal COVID-19 assessment programme for the staff, whilst another one-third prefers health assessment surveys.

Further, 76% of the companies surveyed provide flexible schedules to employees with children, whilst 54% allow employees to use sick leave for COVID-19-related quarantines and 21% give temporary increases in sick leave entitlements.

Meanwhile, 36% allow employees to use sick leave to care for children, whilst 24% provide assistance for work-from-home arrangements. Twelve percent of companies have also implemented additional compensation programmes for employees in higher-risk roles, with another 6% actively considering such measures.

The report noted that 32% of the polled companies acknowledged the need to review their operations and said they are considering a long-term restructuring of their operations and workforce.