Workplace wellness at risk, as COVID public health emergency expires

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We are at a pivotal moment for public health. As the Biden Administration lifts the public health emergency on May 11, a range of protections and policies will be disbanded. In response, a swirl of workplace programming is in development – from hybrid work policies to wellness leave. While these steps are a sign of progress, getting back to normal without applying insights gained over the pandemic will come at a cost.

We learned a lot through this tumultuous time, including how employees and teams perform in remote and hybrid environments and how companies can lead the public health charge during a time of immense need. From factories to restaurants to offices, workplaces became hubs for prevention. They helped employees obtain access to care when sick, provided time off for people to care for their loved ones, and encouraged vaccinations via onsite clinics or new leave policies. Employers also launched many practical public health worksite precautions, including social distancing, handwashing, and mask mandates – all saving lives.