The Workers Union has issued a statement of praise for loyal workers who keep calm and carry on in spite of COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the organisation, said: ‘Coronavirus has affected all of us in a number of different ways, and no one group has had a monopoly on suffering. That said, there’s a cohort of people who haven’t had as much praise as they’re probably due. They’re the workers who have stayed in their jobs, while other people have either endured redundancy or left to take advantage of the surfeit of vacancies elsewhere.
‘They have often put in extended shifts, taking on the duties of former colleagues to ensure that the work gets done. When we’re finally clear of the COVID chaos, company bosses should not be shy to express their gratitude to these unsung heroes for their loyalty and selflessness.’
The statement comes at a time when the UK is enjoying a boom in job vacancies, and while some sectors are struggling to fill posts, workers in other areas of the economy have taken advantage of the shortage to secure themselves better pay and prospects.
At the same time, fears are growing about the new Omnicron variant of COVID and its potential to develop into the predominant strain of the virus. Some experts fear that without urgent measures, the country could be facing further lockdowns. This, in turn, may increase the possibility of further redundancies, thus putting more pressure on remaining staff.
The Workers Union Says
Those workers who’ve carried on while companies thin their headcount – either deliberately or otherwise – have done a remarkable job, but now they face new challenges. It is not beyond the imagination of the least cynical among us to realise that company chiefs could well penalise them for their excellence. After all, the argument will run, if two people can do four people’s jobs, why should anyone consider recruiting replacements?
The obvious flaw in this theory, is that people are flesh and blood, not automatons. They need support, adequate rest, good pay and prospects and a feeling that the company culture values them for who they are, as much as what they do.
So we face a clear choice. If we really do believe in the value of fair play, then we must not allow ourselves to exploit the loyalty and commitment of hard-working staff.
