Covid-19 raises workforce risk to new high, says International SOS

Workforce risk is at its highest for five years as Covid-19 takes its toll, and could grow further in 2021, according to International SOS. Publishing its risk outlook for 2021, based on a survey of 1,400 risk professionals, the firm said Covid-19 is the prism that all other workforce risks will be seen through. International SOS’s top five risk predictions for 2021 are: Ecopolitical turbulence will exacerbate tensions, civil unrest and crime Pandemic-borne crisis management teams will redefine duty-of-care practices The growing infodemic will increase demand for trusted sources of health and security information and advice Mental health issues will be a primary productivity disruptor Singular focus on Covid-19 will create risk blindspots. Mick Sharp, group director security services at International SOS, said companies must stay alert to business threats other than the direct impact of Covid-19. Existing threats such as security and civil unrest have been exacerbated by the pandemic, while others such as natural disasters have been made more complex, he said. “The findings have uncovered a disconnect and a potentially business-threatening level of Covid-19 myopia,” Mr Sharp said. “It is understandable that, to varying degrees, the general population and business are more focused on the demands and application of Covid-related precautions. However, perennial security and safety issues have not abated,” he added. Eight in ten risk professionals surveyed said health and security risks to the workforce increased in 2020. Half think the risk will increase further in 2021. Dr Neil Nerwich, group medical director at International SOS, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has created a tripartite of crises, with public health, geopolitical and economic crises all impacting the workforce and business on a global scale.” He added that the pandemic will trigger a change in employers’ duty-of-care provisions in the same way as the 9/11 terror attacks in the US. “The pandemic is destined to result in a lasting change to employers’ approach to employee health threats,” Dr Nerwich said, with health issues and responsibility for employee wellbeing now a board-level issue. Some 54% of those surveyed said access to adequate resources to deal with Covid-19 was the greatest challenge to protecting their employees’ health and security. It was the number one concern, followed by access to information on health and security threats (40%), and educating employees about risks at 35%. Dealing with mental health issues and communications in a crisis tied in fourth place at 33% each. International SOS said the majority of risk professionals believed infectious diseases, including Covid-19, will weigh on employee productivity in 2021. One in three are anticipating mental health issues among their workforce. The Workforce Resilience Council, which worked with International SOS on the report, predicted mental health issues will overtake Covid-19 as the top medical concern next year.

Covid-19 raises workforce risk to new high, says International SOS

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