Key initiatives include a dramatic increase in remote work, ensuring access to prescription drugs and medical care

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April 10, 2020

ARLINGTON, VA, April 10, 2020 — Employers are broadening their efforts to help their workers cope with COVID-19 while at the same time preparing for an eventual return to a stable workplace, according to Willis Towers Watson’s latest survey of employers’ responses to the pandemic. Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company.

Employers reported a dramatic increase in remote work: 39% said over three-quarters of their workers could now work remotely, up from just 14% before the pandemic. Almost all employers (97%) reported promotion of physical (social) distancing as well as increased cleaning and access to disinfection for those employees who are not able to work remotely.

Wellbeing — both physical and emotional — remains a primary consideration for employers. Many employers are shaping an effective course of action by increasing employee access to virtual medical care. The survey found that 86% of employers are promoting use of telemedicine, a nurse line or virtual visits for medical concerns. Fifty-eight percent are increasing access to telebehavioral health, and an additional 14% plan to do so. For those employees who contract the virus, 41% report they will waive out-of-pocket costs for treatment.

To encourage access to prescription drugs during the pandemic, 37% are relaxing supply limitations for non-specialty drugs (i.e., allowing 90-day supplies of medicines that otherwise are dispensed 30 days at a time); another 7% plan to do so.

“Protecting the health of employees, customers and the community is a prime concern for all employers,” said Jeff Levin-Scherz, M.D., leader, North American Health Management practice, Willis Towers Watson. “Organizations recognize their employees are going through a difficult period and are taking action to help them manage through the health and economic aspects of this crisis.”

Half (55%) of employers would provide salary continuation for a median of two weeks if an employee is out of work on self-quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. Additionally, to help workers deal with challenges when a family member is ill, more than four in five employers (84%) have policies that allow flexibility for employees to work from home if they are caring for a sick family member.

Employers often continue to require physician notes for employees for leave (56%) or for returning to work (68%) after COVID-19 illness even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourages this practice.

Eighty-eight percent of employers reported they have a business continuity plan in place, and 65% have an emergency command center. Eighty-seven percent reported they would conduct post-event plan reviews to improve future emergency preparedness. Only 39% reported they had already instituted supervisor training specific to COVID-19.

In an effort to prevent COVID-19 stigma, employers are acting to avoid bias or discrimination associated with the pandemic. Forty-seven percent of employers have organized plans to avoid stigma in the workplace associated with the COVID-19 epidemic, and 21% are planning anti-stigma campaigns.

“This is a defining leadership moment for many organizations,” says Dr. Levin-Scherz. “The employers that take strong action to put people first will be the best positioned to enhance employee wellbeing, restore stability and achieve future business success.”

About the survey

A total of 654 employers participated in the COVID-19 Employer Readiness Survey, which was conducted during the week of March 30, 2020. Respondents employ nearly 7.8 million workers.

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Source: Willis Towers Watson

https://www.willistowerswatson.com/en-US/News/2020/04/employers-broadening-efforts-to-protect-workers-health-and-wellbeing-amid-covid-19-wtw-survey-finds