Eighty per cent are planning to use PPE as physical distancing measures relax
Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, close to one-quarter (22.5 per cent) of employers expect that 10 per cent or more of their workforce will continue to telework or work remotely.
Over two-fifths of businesses in the information and cultural industries sector (47.2 per cent) and in the professional, scientific and technical services sector (44.5 per cent) have this expectation, finds a survey by Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
For employers that indicate teleworking as potentially applicable to their workforce, just over one-quarter (25.2 per cent) reported being likely or very likely to offer more employees the possibility of teleworking or working remotely once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, while 14.3 per cent are likely or very likely to require it.
Staffing changes
Nearly two-thirds (65.8 per cent) of businesses expect their number of employees to remain the same over the next three months while 15.1 per cent expect staffing levels to increase over the same period, finds the survey done between May 29 and July 3.
However, close to one-quarter (22.9 per cent) of employers say they have implemented no changes with regards to staffing in light of COVID-19.
In particular, nearly half (47.9 per cent) of businesses in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector reported they had implemented no changes to staffing but almost all those in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector (94.3 per cent) and in the accommodation and food services sector (94.1 per cent) have taken some staffing action, as well as nearly all (90.9 per cent) businesses with more than 100 employees.
Two-fifths (39.9 per cent) of employers reported reducing staff hours or shifts due to the pandemic, while over one-quarter (28.4 per cent) laid off staff. Close to one-fifth (17.4 per cent) of all businesses laid off at least half of their workforce.
Of the businesses that laid off at least one employee, over three-fifths (61.3 per cent) laid off 50 per cent or more of their workforce, finds the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions.
Over 80 per cent of businesses that laid off staff in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector (89.6 per cent), the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector (83 per cent), and the accommodation and food services sector (80.3 per cent) reported layoffs to 50 per cent or more of their workforce.
Safety concerns
Four-fifths (80.5 per cent) of employers need or expect to need personal protective equipment (PPE) or supplies as physical distancing measures are relaxed. Those in the health care and social assistance sector (93 per cent), the accommodation and food services sector (92.9 per cent) and the retail trade sector (91.9 per cent) are most likely to need equipment or supplies.
Over two-thirds (68.1 per cent) of employers say that they need or will need masks and eye protection, while over three-fifths (64.4 per cent) need or will need cleaning products. Two-thirds (66.5 per cent) indicated they are likely or very likely to provide facemasks, gloves and other PPE to employees, finds the survey.
Three-quarters (74.8 per cent) of businesses reported they are likely or very likely to increase sanitization of the workplace. Over one-fifth (22 per cent) of businesses are experiencing or expect to experience difficulty procuring PPE or supplies.
Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of Canadian workers have said they prefer working from home rather than their usual workstation, found a survey in June.
But few employers have confirmed whether working arrangements will permanently be more flexible, found a separate survey.
