Employees feeling better about workplace safety in 2021: survey

Washington — Employees’ satisfaction with physical safety conditions in the workplace has returned to levels that predate the COVID-19 pandemic, results of an annual survey indicate.

From Aug. 2 to Aug. 17, researchers from management consulting company Gallup surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adults, about half of whom were employed. Of the respondents with jobs, 72% indicated being “completely satisfied” with the physical safety conditions of their workplace. That’s an increase from 65% in 2020 – the lowest percentage since 2001 – and just shy of the 74% mark recorded in 2019.

“While the pandemic is ongoing and cases are once again surging as a result of the highly contagious delta variant, unlike a year ago, there are now COVID-19 vaccines available – and workplaces are increasingly mandating vaccination,” a report about the survey on Gallup’s website states. “Recent Gallup data show 56% of Americans favor companies requiring employees to show proof of vaccination at their office or worksite.”

More women (75%) than men (70%) said they’re completely satisfied with their workplace’s safety conditions. In 2019, 79% of men and 68% of women reported being completely satisfied with safety conditions. Last year, that percentage was equal for both sexes, at 65.