“I can’t afford to
go to work!”
How often are you hearing the
growing anxiety from families and people trying to cope with the ever
increasing cost in petrol prices?
With petrol costs looking to go up
and wage packets not budging, the balancing act of juggling the home budget is
becoming more concerning with a frightening spiral of more people using their
credit cards when money runs out midway before their next wage hits their bank
account.
As thousands of people drive to work
or use public transport an increased feeling of irritation before they start
their days work is on the up. If a large
chunk of your wage goes on travelling costs and you work in a job that doesn’t
pay too well, surrounded by fellow workers equally fed up, it creates a
difficult environment to work in. Yes
you might say they’re all in the same boat but not a nice boat long term to be
in!
Along with the shortfall in free
nursery places and the high cost of childcare on top, the miserable acceptable
of not being able to afford to go to work is shattering for a lot of people. There is a huge population of people who want
to set a good example to their family and children by going to work to earn
their crust but frankly can’t afford to do so.
As this picture paints a growing
number of people being forced into a position of staying at home, stuck with
living in the same area because they can’t sell their house, so unable to move
to where the work is, begs the question of why virtual working hasn’t grown
faster.
Business owners are extremely aware
of the difficulties faced by their employees but still struggle to see a
different way of working that will benefit both parties.
Not all tasks or jobs can be done
from the home environment; it would not be practical along with the health and
safety issues but a lot can.
The investment of allowing an
employee to work more flexibly from home would create so many benefits to the
employee and the business owner/manager.
As working conditions and
legislation continues to change, the old adage of a ‘job for life’ no longer
exists so learning to adapt to change is a must these days to get on in
life.
It is seen amongst many small
businesses that the increase in taking on associates (freelancers) instead of
employing people as the preferred option.
It gives the business the option not to pay all the necessary additions
that come with employment like NI contributions, holiday and sick pay. It makes perfect sense!
While this is more beneficial for
the business owner/manager it creates an unsettling fluctuation and no
guarantee of work/money to the associate.
Is this just a shift in how business
is more likely to operate?
Will more and more people be forced
to change their perception of a guaranteed wage each week or month as being
lucky rather than a definite?
Will people have to be more
adaptable to change and get used to managing their home budget
differently. The knock on effects look
to be very challenging.
