Workplaces and Workers

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Thu., Sep. 9, 2021, 9:23 p.m. Subject: Workplaces and Workers (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <haqf@un.org>, <assistance@liberal.ca>, <antonio.ferrari@un.org>, <carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca>, <anthony.rota.c1@parl.gc.ca>, <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <actso@naacpnet.org>, <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, <calgary@globalnews.ca>, <chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn>, <cnn.feedback@cnn.com>, <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>, <edmonton@globalnews.ca>, <egypt@ad.gov.eg>, <editor@japantoday.com>, <eonline@bellmedia.ca>, <Francois-Philippe.Champagne@parl.gc.ca>, <GlobalBarrie@globalnews.ca>, <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, <info@ccla.org>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <media@aclu.com>, <msnbctvinfo@nbcuni.com>, <newstips@globaltv.com>, <newschannel@ctv.ca>, <newsonline@ctv.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>

Hey Everyone, I have been reading reports about a shortage of workers in the food industry and people are looking at options to increase their workforce. I was thinking about some other options for workers and the reason behind why there is a shortage. I was reading about a number of reasons people are not returning to the job market. These include lack of pay, benefits, job satisfaction, finding reliable child care as well as apprehension about returning to work during the pandemic. I was thinking that perhaps workplaces can start creating incentives for workers to sign on. Workplaces used to entice workers to sign on in a variety of ways including raising the wage, adding benefits, complementary meals each shift as well as new processes to improve their job descriptions. Some places also have child care in the building to help their workforce. Growing up I heard stories about how you could raise a family, buy a home, a car and have savings all from one income. Companies used to respect their workforce and understood that without the workers the company is nothing. In today's workforce there are no extra benefits to working and most companies don't respect their workers and use them as capital to build their business. Companies used to understand that the workforce was their Keystone. In today's workforce, some employees are treated like cattle, treated unfairly and shown no loyalty. This trend in business is what has partially led us to this point. Especially in food service where you work long hours for little pay and no respect from the customers or supervisors. It's a wonder why no one wants to work in those conditions and why we find ourselves with a worker shortage. The corporation largely undervalues the worker which is why as we see now there is no loyalty of the worker. This loyalty used to be fostered by the company but now most care little for their employees. Most companies expect you to be grateful to simply be employed and undervalue their workforce. The work landscape has changed with this pandemic as well as the mindset of the worker. We will no longer be treated unfairly, treated like property while having our rights dismantled and we will no longer work for less than what we deserve. Companies are going to need to evolve their ideas behind the worker and realize that the front line worker, the one who works for you day in and day out, is your most valuable resource. If companies can start evolving their ideals to foster loyalty we will never again see such a reluctance to rejoin industries. Any company that engenders loyalty from their workforce will once again see a workforce that loves where they work. As we all know if you love your job you go above and beyond for that job. This loyalty, this engendered trust, cannot be bought or bribed but earned. Any company that engenders such loyalty will transform itself into a human institution. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch