Brazil's public-sector employees opt for remote working: survey

BRASILIA - A large portion of Brazil's public-sector employees want to have the option of working remotely even after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over, according to a survey published Thursday by local media.

According to the survey carried out by the National School of Public Administration (ENAP) in association with the World Bank and the Economy Ministry, when face-to-face work resumes, 57 percent of employees would like to return to activities in shifts or on alternate days, and only 4.8 percent expect all professionals to return at the same time.

Regarding the ability to continue remote working, 45 percent of federal employees said they wanted the option even after the pandemic, with only 12 percent saying they would be comfortable returning to in-person work full time.

A significant number of respondents, 38 percent, were strongly against returning to face-to-face work, and 90 percent expressed concern about contracting COVID-19 at work and infecting family members.

The survey queried more than 42,000 employees at 19 national, state and local agencies in August and September.