A survey of business executives by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 87% believe their organizations can endure an outbreak of the Omicron variant of Covid 19, but are very concerned about its impact on their businesses.
SHRM said, 86% of those polled early last December agreed that existing policies and procedures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus in the workplace gave them confidence as Omicron began spreading, although 67% said they were very or extremely concerned about their organization's ability to keep employees and customers safe due to the variant.
"Clearly, this variant is causing significant disruptions across the economy, and business leaders must continue taking steps to protect employees and their families and retain talent," said SHRM President Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
The survey revealed other worries as well:
- 65% said they were very or extremely concerned in their organization's ability to retain employees because of Omicron.
- 65% reported that they were very or extremely concerned in their organization's ability to recruit new talent.
- 62% also said they were very or extremely concerned about their organization's ability to remain productive following news of Omicron.
- 61% said they were very or extremely concerned in their organization's ability to maintain employee morale and engagement.
- 59% agree they would need to lay off or furlough workers if an Omicron outbreak occurred.
- 54% said their organization would be at risk of permanently closing should an outbreak of occur.