The majority of PR professionals are happy at the prospect of returning to the office, a new PRCA study has revealed.
The research – conducted by the Pulse Business – revealed 56% were happy about a return to work, but 39% revealed concern about spreading COVID-19 to family members.
The survey, which quizzed more than 60 PRCA members, covered a range of topics including office life, mental health, comradery with colleagues, volunteering expertise, and general feelings on what comes next.
As expected, mental health remains an ongoing concern for PRCA members, with 77% saying the pandemic has impacted their mental health. However, there is a strong sense of a renewed team spirit emerging as colleagues rose to the challenge (88% believe colleagues pulled their weight lockdown).
When the world emerges from lockdown, 39% of respondents said they’re most afraid of their family members contracting COVID-19, while 25% still have mixed feelings about returning to the office.
Other findings include:
– 24% said they are most afraid of a further wave of the virus
– 29% said they offered their communication skills in a volunteering capacity.
– 35% said they would like to start or continue volunteering their comms skills as part of their day job.
PRCA Director General, Francis Ingham MPRCA, said:
“The results show a growing confidence amongst PR and business leaders. Importantly, there is a prevailing desire to reconnect with colleagues in-person for the benefit of mental health and creativity. It’s more important than ever for leaders to continue to listen to their people and act with purpose and with the wellbeing of their staff at the front of their minds.”
Imogen Osborne, Founder, The Pulse Business, said:
“The data from this Pulse suggests that the long tail of mental health and its related impact is very a much part of the New Norm. Finding ways to help people when we reach some semblance of normality is a clear priority. The insights indicate that PR & Comms professionals have felt ‘disenfranchised’ as a result of working from home, isolated even from their colleagues. There’s no doubt that this industry thrives on human connection. The more we can stir that spirit up as we make our return back to office-working, the better.”
The Survey was conducted by The Pulse Business.
