[2006alum]

Speaking as one of the "20-40 age group," what do you mean by "let go back to work?" I already am working -- from home. And if my employer told me, "you have to get back in the office, we have immunity from liability for your death or serious illness, and some of you will just have to take it on the chin if you get sick and/or die," needless to say, I wouldn't be very happy. There has to be a better way than that.

I think there already is a better way, particularly if you're working from home.

I'd be very much surprised if employers forced employees to go back to work if they don't need to be in a specific facility.  I just ran a COVID-19 "Return to Work" survey, and few employers intend to force employees back to work.  And for many firms, ours included, management is finding out that employees who work from home are very productive, particularly if they no longer have lengthy commutes and have project-based workflow.  And to be candid, I suspect many, if not most companies are eyeing their real estate-related costs (leasing, utilities, etc.) and visualizing a nice add to the bottom line without them.  I know we're doing that.

As for employees with jobs that necessitate being inside a facility who don't want to return to a facility...there's 26 million+ workers who desperately want jobs in a market where there are none.  it's going to be an employer's market for quite a while, particularly as we stall returning to work.

Did your RTW survey ask about if/how employers were rethinking physical distancing in workplaces that are more densely packed but require employees to be in the office (I'm thinking places like call centers)? I'd be curious to hear what modifications private employers may be anticipating, such as fever checks, larger enforced distances between desks, etc.

It still doesn't sound like we have a great plan for work that requires being in a facility - saying it's an employer's market essentially concedes the plan is to invoke duress to force employees to return. And I suppose once August 1 hits and the topped up unemployment insurance ends, that could work. But I still don't see how customer-facing businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, etc. will work. Even if you can get employees to return, most restaurants rely on an older demographic to survive, and if I know my local bistro is relying on young people to risk getting COVID-19 in order to operate, do I really want to be served by a asymptomatic carrier if I'm 60+, immuno-compromised, etc.? Why do I risk a crowded bar when I can meet my friends in the park, for a small house party, etc. I can pass on the latest movie releases and stream something from home. And so on.

If those declining to eat out, go to the movies, go to bars, etc., constitute even more than 5-10% of the population, I still don't understand how these low-margin businesses will have the gross margins to be profitable while open. Maybe they can live off the SBA loans for the next 12-18 months until a vaccine?

[2006alum]

Speaking as one of the "20-40 age group," what do you mean by "let go back to work?" I already am working -- from home. And if my employer told me, "you have to get back in the office, we have immunity from liability for your death or serious illness, and some of you will just have to take it on the chin if you get sick and/or die," needless to say, I wouldn't be very happy. There has to be a better way than that.

I think there already is a better way, particularly if you're working from home.

I'd be very much surprised if employers forced employees to go back to work if they don't need to be in a specific facility.  I just ran a COVID-19 "Return to Work" survey, and few employers intend to force employees back to work.  And for many firms, ours included, management is finding out that employees who work from home are very productive, particularly if they no longer have lengthy commutes and have project-based workflow.  And to be candid, I suspect many, if not most companies are eyeing their real estate-related costs (leasing, utilities, etc.) and visualizing a nice add to the bottom line without them.  I know we're doing that.

As for employees with jobs that necessitate being inside a facility who don't want to return to a facility...there's 26 million+ workers who desperately want jobs in a market where there are none.  it's going to be an employer's market for quite a while, particularly as we stall returning to work.

Did your RTW survey ask about if/how employers were rethinking physical distancing in workplaces that are more densely packed but require employees to be in the office (I'm thinking places like call centers)? I'd be curious to hear what modifications private employers may be anticipating, such as fever checks, larger enforced distances between desks, etc.

It still doesn't sound like we have a great plan for work that requires being in a facility - saying it's an employer's market essentially concedes the plan is to invoke duress to force employees to return. And I suppose once August 1 hits and the topped up unemployment insurance ends, that could work. But I still don't see how customer-facing businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, etc. will work. Even if you can get employees to return, most restaurants rely on an older demographic to survive, and if I know my local bistro is relying on young people to risk getting COVID-19 in order to operate, do I really want to be served by a asymptomatic carrier if I'm 60+, immuno-compromised, etc.? Why do I risk a crowded bar when I can meet my friends in the park, for a small house party, etc. I can pass on the latest movie releases and stream something from home. And so on.

If those declining to eat out, go to the movies, go to bars, etc., constitute even more than 5-10% of the population, I still don't understand how these low-margin businesses will have the gross margins to be profitable while open. Maybe they can live off the SBA loans for the next 12-18 months until a vaccine?