Are Some People Work-Shy?

Or Is Society Getting Lazier?

Work should be valued, not avoided

 

There has been a lot of discussion in the News about work and some people’s reluctance to do any. Despite plenty of jobs being available, some are choosing not to work rather than settle for jobs that they believe to be beneath them.

Picking and choosing seems to be the name of the game. However, this should not be at the expense of taxpayers, some might say.

It is a tricky mess. Some argue that they could earn more from state benefits and Universal Credit by not working jobs involving cleaning, serving customers and looking after people in care homes.

Is Society Becoming Picky?

As people live longer and the care industry grows, it seems odd that many care homes are really short staffed. Similarly, the number of cleaner vacancies unfilled seems to be rising. Even in my own workplace, we are forever advertising for cleaners.

Yet many people are out of work who are physically and mentally fit enough to do so.

It makes no sense. According to the BBC ( Who are the millions of Britons not working, and why?) 1.6 million of the 9.4million economically inactive people do want employment. This is peculiar as there are plenty of vacancies right across the board.

Some have spoken out about how working would effectively mean a drop in income for many, as their benefits would be higher than working for the national minimum wage.

So, are people choosing to stay at home for this reason? Are we going to continue to see lots of unfilled vacancies in the care industry, retail and cleaning?

It all feels peculiar. A few years ago I had some debts to pay so I worked in care homes every weekend on top of my full time job in education. Previously I held down several jobs all at once, a combination of well paid and low paid roles. I cannot believe that the welfare system is prepared to support people who are fit and healthy to not go to work while multiple job opportunities present themselves locally.

Perhaps A Work Ethic Is No Longer Trendy

I have friends who have families and work more than one job to support their families, while still finding time to bring up their children and keep their households organised. They wouldn’t think twice about accepting any job that meant they could earn an honest living whilst avoiding placing a burden on the welfare system.

Are we really in a society where people can pick and choose between free money and hard work? Surely the satisfaction of going to work outdoes the feeling of depending on taxpayers without justification.

I would love to know what you think on this subject. Are we now living in a society where some jobs are beneath us?