A HEALTH organisation that carried out a study among workers in the South West says that Covid-19 and furloughing is causing continuing tension and rifts between colleagues – as well as animosity towards employers.

Not-for-profit insurance provider Westfield Health spoke to employees about their mental health, and their relationships with other staff.

The research reveals a growing rift between furloughed employees and those still working. Concerns around personal finances and job security were found to be common amongst furloughed workers.

The survey found that just 9% of furloughed workers asked in the South West are having their pay topped up by their employer.

Only 4% have been given a date for when their furlough will end. (The research was undertaken before the government’s announcement of flexible furlough).

For South West workers not on furlough, nearly a quarter (24%) feel colleagues on furlough have it easy. Those in work were more likely to report feeling jealous of furloughed workers, with 21% in the region saying they should have been furloughed instead and 19% saying that ’furloughed workers are getting special treatment’.

Even amongst those who are still working, tensions are building. Nearly half (42%) of South West workers are feeling jealous of their colleagues’ home working environments. There were also concerns around productivity with 38% saying parents are using their kids as an excuse to do less. However, South West workers are not the most suspicious: 58% of Londoners and 53% of those living in the West Midlands believed colleagues were using their kids as excuses. 

As a result of this tension, coronavirus seems to be hitting both the physical and mental health of South West workers as well. More than half (56%) of those asked have seen their mental health deteriorate and 35% have seen a drop in their physical health. 

Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said: ’As we begin to reopen parts of the economy and ease lockdown restrictions, one of the first places to feel the impact of these tensions will be the workplace.

’Rifts between those who have been furloughed and those who have carried on working – often with reduced pay – are complex and highly sensitive and can be attached to feelings of self-worth and value.

’With many business leaders focusing on long-term economic stability, there’s a risk they’ll overlook the challenge and importance of re-unifying divided teams,’ he continued.

’Our experiences and emotions from this time are not shared, they are very personal and our isolation from others is making this worse. But a productive, thriving business is one that works as a unit. Being aware of and actively working to bridge these divides will be key to getting UK business back on track.’

The pandemic has also increased expectations when it comes to support from employers. More than a quarter (27%) of employees want more mental health support, 26% want additional wellbeing support but just 11% are looking for more help from companies when it comes to physical health. 

The report also revealed that many workers are keen to keep aspects of lockdown life when it comes to ways of working. More than half (53%) of workers will miss the way they have worked when going back to the office and just 16% of all people believe they will work from home more often in the future – Westfield Health says this is a clear opportunity for employers. 

’The biggest mistake businesses can make at the moment is thinking things will go back to how they were,’ says Dave Capper.

’Perceptions of colleagues, employers and how we work have all changed - we’re returning to somewhere we’ve never been before. The businesses that will recover and thrive over the next few years will be the ones who see this as an opportunity.’

More information on Westfield Health can be found here: https://www.westfieldhealth.com/