'Workplace News': Tuesday 09/06/20

As always, I had a good read of all of the main news headlines this morning and, in particular, the workplace, jobs, careers and employment-related headlines.

I so wish I had some good news to report - but there really isn’t any.  I know the newspapers generally seem to prefer bad news anyway but, what with the current coronavirus crisis and its devastating economic impact, in particular on employment, I just can’t see any good news anywhere.

The biggest employment news has to be BP’s announcement, covered by my friends and colleagues at BBC News as:

'BP to cut 10,000 jobs as virus hits demand for oil'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52966609

And this could just be the start.  The UK's oil and gas industry has previously warned that 30,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the low oil price.

In many ways, the way I feel about this is similar to how I feel about, for example, when British Airways told its workers to accept pay cuts of up to 60% or face the sack.

I’m a big fan of the government’s furlough scheme and I do feel it is very sad that some companies have nonetheless laid off large numbers of staff in situations where they really might have been able to avoid doing so.

In BP and BA’s case, though, I really can’t see that they have much alternative than to do what they are doing.  The furlough scheme may have been extended to the end of October, yes, but it could be years before the aviation sector recovers fully, if indeed it ever does…  And BP’s Chief Exec, Bernard Looney, told staff, "The oil price has plunged well below the level we need to turn a profit.  We are spending much, much more than we make - I am talking millions of dollars, every day."

I know it’s very tough indeed on the staff in question and I am very sorry for them but the reality is that either these companies do this and they try to survive... Or they don’t.

There is only so much the furlough scheme or, indeed, the Government in general, can do to protect companies and save jobs.

British sandwich maker Adelie Foods collapsed last week with the loss of 2,000 jobs.

https://www.ft.com/content/b91777ad-040b-4491-a0d8-a55414501ed6?

“We’re pretty devastated as an industry, and probably will be into next year”, said Jim Winship, director of the British Sandwich & Food to Go Association.

British luxury handbag maker, Mulberry, has just announced plans to cut a quarter of its workforce.

https://www.ft.com/content/85fb9e59-caf1-4505-b11a-0d4c7c50171f?

The company said yesterday that social-distancing measures combined with reduced demand from shoppers and fewer overseas visitors to London would continue to hit sales “even once stores reopen”.

But what is the solution?  Indeed, is there a solution?

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was apparently warned by Business Secretary, Alok Sharma that failure to reopen the hospitality sector in time for the summer could cost up to 3.5 million jobs.  Boris reportedly just replied “Christ!”  (as reported in the Sunday Times)

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jobs-bloodbath-accelerates-easing-of-lockdown-for-pubs-restaurants-and-weddings-wgmlfzzpx

The solution?

The Government is apparently now trying to bring forward the reopening of England’s pubs and restaurants by a fortnight.

https://www.ft.com/content/72edead1-80ee-4787-8818-aacfd84ed638?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is apparently among half a dozen ministers calling themselves the ‘save summer six’, seeking to accelerate the reopening of the economy on this front and others.

But then, of course, we have scientists worried that lifting lockdown too early risks a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.  Undoubtedly it does.  But is it either that or have the economy fall off a cliff-edge?

These are massive decisions.

So it’s not just about saving jobs now, is it.  It’s about creating jobs.  And it’s about supporting the rapidly rising ranks of the unemployed as best as we can.

As a country, we must dedicate the necessary time and effort to setting up proper support for them. They need help with determining their options, deciding how to go about their job hunt, identifying how best to sell themselves whether it’s in their CV or on LinkedIn and coaching to help them subsequently excel at interview.

This is an unprecedented situation and the unemployed need all the help they can get as they try desperately to get themselves back into work...