Workers fear for jobs as coronavirus pandemic continues

ALMOST half of British office workers feel unsupported by their employers during the pandemic lock down period, a new survey has revealed.

The poll by Utility Bidder also discovered that more than half of workers now feared for their job security as the pandemic continues.

Researchers spoke to 1000 office workers who were continuing their roles while working from home. Respondents were aged 18-54 and featured all levels of office staff from graduate trainees to managing directors.

The study found that 45 per cent of office workers said they had either none or not enough support from their bosses while working from home.

More than half of those surveyed (57 per cent) said they now feared for the future of their job and were anxious about employment security.

Almost one fifth of those surveyed (18 per cent) said they had little or no communication from their employers about the impact of the pandemic on the company’s business and so were concerned about their jobs.

Just over one in ten (12 per cent) of the 1000 people surveyed by Utility Bidder said they do not have, cannot get or do not plan to have access to all the relevant technological equipment they need to work remotely.

One respondent to Utility Bidder’s survey said they are working from home “without even having half the equipment needed” while another wrote that their company “provided laptops but they’re not able to cope with the number of people using systems”.

Of the 45 per cent who said they do not feel supported by their employer 32 per cent said that a very small amount of support was provided, whilst 13 per cent responded that they had received no support whatsoever.

James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder, said the lockdown period had created anxiety and uncertainty for many workers, particularly those feeling unsupported by bosses.

He said: “Our mission is to support businesses and help them save money.

"One of the most important ways in which businesses can currently do this is by helping their staff remain productive so they can continue servicing their customers and clients.

“Thousands of working hours could be lost without the proper technology and equipment, so it’s essential that businesses are supplying this where possible.”

Mr Longley also explained how employees could claim back money on certain essential equipment they might need to work from home.

“Employees required to continue working from home can claim for tax relief on any necessary purchases if they are not already being provided by their employer. This includes technology, printer ink, even desks and office chairs for your home-working space.”

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