MORE than a fifth of Scottish workers have been furloughed during the coronavirus crisis, a new poll suggests.

The research examined trends in the economically active population as part of the Scottish Government’s economic advisory group chaired by Benny Higgins.

Latest statistics show that 628,200 people in Scotland were furloughed and 146,000 claims were made to the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

The poll also indicates 76% of those made unemployed during the crisis fear they will not be able to find as job as good as the one they had before.

Young people are particularly concerned about finding work, pollster Mark Diffley found, with this figure rising to 92% for unemployed people under 35.

A total of 1,150 members of the Scotpulse panel were surveyed in early June.

The poll also found that a fifth of the sample, 21%, said they have been furloughed since the start of the lockdown on March 23, while 3% said they have become unemployed since this date.

Its report, sent to the advisory group, found: “Workers in smaller organisations with less than 250 staff were more likely than those working in organisations employing 250 or more staff to have been furloughed.

“There were higher levels of furloughed and unemployed staff in the hospitality and tourism sector as well as the wholesale and retail sector.”

Some 62% said they are concerned about social distancing when they return to work while 55% worry about health and well-being.

The poll found 29% are concerned about safety during their commute to work, compared to 69% who are not.

Asked about travel arrangements following the lockdown, 58% said they are more likely to work from home and 65% said are less likely to use public transport.

“Around six in 10 respondents (63%) reported that they are more likely to need flexible and home working arrangements to meet their childcare responsibilities,” the report said.

“This data is perhaps unsurprising given the phased return to school combing school and home learning that is anticipated from August 11.”

Asked about the next three years, women are more likely than men to strongly agree they will need to develop new skills to adapt to new ways of working, at 16% versus 7% of men.

The report concluded: “Among those who are unemployed there is a recognition of the difficulties of the future labour market, with three-quarters (76%) of the sample reporting that it will be difficult to find a job as good as the one they previously had.

“There are particular concerns expressed among young people about their employment prospects after lockdown.”