Approximately 60% of employees have become isolated among coronavirus pandemics.
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The coronavirus cost the way many employees do their job – whether in person or from home – and increased the amount of time they spend doing it.
In 2020, the average working day extended by nearly an hour, according to a working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Despite the longer hours, employees are also taking fewer breaks. Since March, a majority of Americans have shortened, suspended or postponed their planned time off, according to a separate survey of more than 2,000 workers in July.
“When your kitchen table becomes your office, it becomes harder and harder to differentiate between work and home,” said Claire Barnes, senior vice president of human resources at Monster Worldwide.
“Sadly, we have seen more and more employees – across all sectors – not taking holidays and personal time offered by their employers, whether or not that is due to a burden work or a struggle to find a good work / life balance. “
Even pre-pandemic, American workers used only about half of their vacation time, according to a study by jobs and hiring website Glassdoor.
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Now, workers are at risk of losing billions in lost benefits if that time cannot be banked or transferred.
Just 42% of companies said they are making changes to vacation policies to encourage flexibility, including raising restriction rates for time off without use, according to a report by consulting firm Willis Towers Watson.
A separate poll by Monster found that nearly two-thirds, or 64%, of employees say their employer does not usually allow moving on vacation, and 4 out of 1 5 employees whose employers did not provide any wiggle room due to coronavirus crisis.
Beginning Jan. 1, employees will also lose the federal mandate that requires paid leave for those suffering from Covid-19.
The CARES Act included an emergency provision that required employers to offer the benefit to eligible employees through December 31 – without that policy, there is no national standard for family leave. paid or ill.
However, under the terms of the new relief package, companies can still apply for a tax credit to subsidize the cost if they choose to introduce paid leave until 2021.
It looks like many companies will continue to offer that option even without the mandate, according to Bill Gianoukos, founder and CEO of telepath program provider Goodpath – just as some allow employees to distribute more unused vacations.
“Employers recognize the importance of having a fairer life and are more open about ensuring employees get the care they need. “
And yet, it will be up to employees to claim for themselves, Gianoukos said, “get back to your employer and ask for time off.”
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