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Staff shortages - why?

180 replies

Buttalapasta · 04/02/2023 06:44

I've just read the thread on pharmacist shortages. My mum's GP practice has cut its opening hours due to shortages and the local pub now closes at 9 for the same reason! Why? I know Brexit had some impact but surely not this much? Is it down to poor wages? Early retirement? It seems strange that so many places can't seem to get staff yet they aren't offering higher wages? Any economists know?

OP posts:
MarieG10 · 05/02/2023 08:12

Yes Brexit is a factor. EU Migration was driven by people wanting to work.

So now we have last year an inflow of 1million people to the U.K.. 500,000 left. So what factors? Highest number of students ever. Limited to how many hours they can work but encouraged by being able to remain in the U.K. for 2 years after they finish studying and frankly never get removed as the Home Office is so useless.

We also have high levels of migration from the Indian sub-continent, many of which are coming for marriage and not entering the jobs market.

The 40,000 illegal migrants (aka asylum seekers) are not allowed to work, but of course do in the black economy.

All is really a huge mess that we seem incapable of sorting it out.

1 million lawful migrants is utterly ridiculous when the country is creaking at the seams with public services failing worse than ever. Don't forget this is what drove the whole Brexit vote by people not being able to see a doctor (yes before Covid) and not being able to get their children into the local school.

OtherOtter · 05/02/2023 08:12

lightisnotwhite · 04/02/2023 23:18

What’s interesting is that even shit NMW jobs can be great if the perks balance the poor money.
I gave up teaching and work for a tutoring company Mon - Fri.
The weekends I work at a supermarket. It was the job I got to tide me over when I quit teaching but before I found another income. I’ve kept it on because it’s so low stress I don’t even think of it as work.

The work is autonomous.No one over your shoulder. Breaks are when I decide it’s time in my shift ( no rebukes because its lunchtime and I needed a wee but also have to be on the field for break duty the exact minute I finish my lesson). Food and tea /coffee/ squash/ chocolate/ soup is free at break time and I can sit down for all of it . I clock in and out so I don’t have to tell everyone how late I’m staying to justify my being there. If I’m late because of traffic I stay late. No one cares. It’s a revelation.
Basically plenty of companies could offer NMW and employ loyal, hardworking staff they listened to what works for employees.

I think part of the reason you value these things is that you didn't have them previously - most people who've always had these things even on minimum wage don't see them as perks, they take them for granted as the things you are entitled to at work. A friend worked in Waitrose - she couldn't stand how lazy the staff were, doing the least they could get away with, she found the work culture very demotivating - I suppose it depends on your mindset but for her anyway, it certainly wasn't nirvana.

NocturnalClocks · 05/02/2023 09:10

What could be done to help?

As many PPs have pointed out many of these problems are due to appalling management of the economy, education and investment, and lack of planning. Those things will take decades to fix, even if we put competent people in charge.

One thing that could improve the situation relatively quickly, in economic terms, would be to rejoin the single market.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Maverickess · 05/02/2023 09:20

OtherOtter · 05/02/2023 08:12

I think part of the reason you value these things is that you didn't have them previously - most people who've always had these things even on minimum wage don't see them as perks, they take them for granted as the things you are entitled to at work. A friend worked in Waitrose - she couldn't stand how lazy the staff were, doing the least they could get away with, she found the work culture very demotivating - I suppose it depends on your mindset but for her anyway, it certainly wasn't nirvana.

I can appreciate this POV. I do see it in some of the places I have worked, but I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to expect to be treated decently by an employer. I get treated well where I am now, and yes I do appreciate it because I haven't always had that, but I also think I'm worth it too, they invest in me and I'm willing to do more and invest more in making the business a success, I'm less likely to leave. They've realised that if you really want people to work hard and invest in your business, the carrot rather than the stick is a better way to go about it when your business relies on their input and there isn't an endless supply of cheap labour available.

When looking at jobs around here they are listing things now as 'perks' that should really be part of the package anyway, hospitality jobs that advertise you get to keep tips, jobs that insist you wear a certain uniform and advertise that they provide one free - because I've had to buy my own in the past, places advertising they pay overtime - why should actually being paid for the hours you work be a 'perk'?! Or paid travel time for community carers - it should be the standard that it's paid, not a 'perk'. Or that mandatory training is free or you get paid for the time you put in, or that your DBS is paid for - these aren't the types of jobs where you can't really progress, they're considered unskilled and paid min wage or close to, so it's not even like you're investing in your future by doing those things like you might be in other jobs, it's literally just a way for the company to cut costs and keep profits higher while their staff pick up the tab, you're just being taken advantage of, and people are realising that and at the moment they have a choice.

But because employers in these sectors are struggling to recruit and retain they're offering these things now to try and attract people, if they'd just been the standard anyway, they might not be having this issue.

Thatcatisdrivingmenuts · 05/02/2023 09:22

Buttalapasta · 04/02/2023 06:44

I've just read the thread on pharmacist shortages. My mum's GP practice has cut its opening hours due to shortages and the local pub now closes at 9 for the same reason! Why? I know Brexit had some impact but surely not this much? Is it down to poor wages? Early retirement? It seems strange that so many places can't seem to get staff yet they aren't offering higher wages? Any economists know?

There are GP shortages and the future isn't clear because of political differences.

Wages probably are lower for some of those other jobs.

Brexit is a factor.

They may be closing the pub early to save money.

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