Would a more flexible approach make jobs in the Sid Valley and East Devon more attractive, more viable, more sustainable?
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The Sid Valley economy is largely based on hospitality, the care industry and property services.
But these face issues. The predicted growth in hospitality could be stifled by serious staff shortages since Brexit and the pandemic (and the ‘great resignation’ still at work in Sidmouth). Similarly, “the care sector is desperately short of workers” – and the latest Knowle planning application, with its focus on (the lack of) care provision won’t help.
Looking at ways out of this impasse, there is the big idea of Universal Basic Services as the way ahead for a sustainable future – but this is too big for the Sid Valley to work on. Perhaps more realistic is looking to sustainable careers in East Devon, whether in engineering or other future-based industries with promising apprenticeships.
Another possibility would be to make the current stock of jobs more attractive, by getting flexible with work and facilitating working from home: the debate continues.
And one particular way ahead might be the Four Day Week – which might and improve staff resilience but which might not be the thing for rural communities?
This is now very much back in the news. In a piece last week in Business Live, the government explains its ‘plan’ for a four-day working week:
Britain’s workers could be given the right to ask their employers to work a four-day week under new government proposals. Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake claimed businesses were “petrified” about Labour’s Make Work Pay plans, which The Telegraph reported could include new rights for workers to demand a four-day week.
Ministers have insisted they have “no plans” to force businesses to accept employees’ four-day working week requests. The Department for Business and Trade has vowed to set out further details of its approach within 100 days. What do you think of the idea of moving your business to a four-day week?
The media is now looking in earnest at the pros and cons of a four-day working week.
On the positive, we hear that “my staff work a four-day week – I’ll never go back to five“, about how a four-day working week would help those who need it most – women and that a council’s four-day week trial led to greater retention and productivity; and meanwhile Japan wants its hardworking citizens to try a 4-day workweek.
On the flip side, another business says ‘my company trialled a four-day week – it left everyone burnt out’ whilst other commentators fear that encouraging a four-day working week could make inequality worse.
There are groups promoting the notion – such as the 4 Day Week Campaign | Campaign for a shorter working week
And there are job market websites offering work on these terms – for example Welcome to Four Day Week – Home of flexible working jobs
So, to repeat the question from Business Live: What do you think of the idea of moving your business to a four-day week?
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