About 60% of the workforce has become removed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Coronavirus has changed the way many workers do their jobs – either in person or at home – and has increased the time spent doing so.
In 2020, the average working day was extended by almost an hour, according to a working document published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Despite the longer hours, workers take even fewer breaks. Since March, an overwhelming majority of Americans have shortened, postponed, or canceled their rest leave, according to a separate July survey of more than 2,000 workers.
“As the kitchen table becomes your office, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between work and home,” said Claire Barnes, senior vice president for human resources at Monster Worldwide.
“Unfortunately, we have seen more and more workers – in all sectors – who do not take leave and personal time offered by their employers, whether due to an increased workload or a struggle to find a good balance between life. professional life and personal life. “
Even before the pandemic, American workers used only about half of their eligible vacation time, according to a study by the Glassdoor jobs and recruitment website.
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Workers are now at risk of losing billions of lost benefits if this time cannot be transferred or transferred.
Only 42% of companies said they are making changes to holiday policies to increase flexibility, including increasing carry-over for unused leisure time, according to a report by consulting firm Willis Towers Watson.
A separate survey by Monster found that nearly two-thirds, or 64%, of workers said their employer did not normally allow them to go on vacation, and 4 out of 5 workers said their employers did not provide any room because of it. coronavirus crisis.
Beginning January 1, workers will also lose the federal mandate that requires paid leave for those suffering from Covid-19.
The CARES law included an emergency provision requiring qualified employers to provide benefit to eligible employees by 31 December – without this policy, there is no national standard for paid family or sick leave.
However, under the new aid package, companies can still apply for a tax credit to subsidize the cost if they choose to offer paid leave until 2021.
Many companies will continue to offer this option even without a mandate, according to Bill Gianoukos, founder and CEO of telehealth provider Goodpath – just as some will allow workers to overturn more unused vacation days.
“Employers understand how important it is to live a more balanced life and are more open to ensuring that employees receive the care they need.”
And yet, it will be up to the employees to plead for themselves, said Gianoukos, “go back to your employer and ask for free time.”
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