The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many businesses and industries with multiple employees. Although some had the essential responsibility of keeping their jobs such as those in healthcare, many workers found themselves out of careers due to the pandemic. Now that a lot of establishments are gradually gaining recovery, a question that still comes to mind: Who are the workers that need to have their careers restored in a post-COVID-19 world?
Daniel Doyle Pleasantville, a business expert and photographer, understands the importance of many career roles that need to go back after the pandemic. In this post, he shares insights on what he believes should be the right order of restoring jobs for the American people.
Daniel Doyle in Pleasantville Shares Tips For Determining Which Employees Should Return to Work First
Minimum-wage earners
Daniel Doyle Pleasantville explains that the first line of work that should be restored isn’t exactly within an industry but rather related to the type of income being brought. Minimum-wage jobs should be returned immediately because these are types of careers that people take in order to survive financially.
Some of these people could be at the brink of homelessness, debt, have no health insurance, or just trying to get by to support themselves and their families. People will also be willing to take minimum-wage jobs in order to give themselves just the basic needs or to stay out of poverty. Thus, restoring these types of employment as soon as possible will give relief to many individuals who are strapped for cash.
Healthcare-related
Even with many essential healthcare workers keeping their jobs or having salary raises due to the hazards related to COVID, there are some who lost their jobs within the healthcare industry due to decreased demand.
These can include:
- Healthcare-related maintenance: Cleaning of establishments, equipment care, and other blue-collar workers within the healthcare industry.
- Healthcare administration: Those who are focused on paperwork, scheduling, or any other clerical tasks within healthcare facilities.
- Logistical careers in healthcare: Drivers, assistants, and other personnel who respond to logistical and transportation needs in healthcare establishments.
Mr. Doyle believes that restoring workers within this industry, especially the blue-collar workers, will not only benefit the employees but also the businesses. Since health is a much-focused concern due to the ongoing pandemic, giving as much support to this industry should be done by keeping and strengthening all roles.
Education workers
There are many media outlets reporting the educational problems brought about by the pandemic. Since many students have to stay at home but parents are not well-equipped to homeschool, there is now an educational gap on what children should already be learning at this time.
Thus, Mr. Doyle wants to emphasize that educational workers such as teachers, professors, and other paraprofessionals should go back to work to provide ample support to all students, especially in areas where educational needs are great.
Restoring the roles of teachers gives students a stable environment to learn, grow, and focus on their goals in order to achieve their maximum potential.
Flexible careers
Another type of career that should be restored as much as possible is those in the flexible realm. These jobs are not industry-specific, but they have characteristics that allow employees to be productive even without physical contact. This means that these jobs have minimal risk of spreading disease but will help in the livelihoods of both employees and employers.
What are the characteristics of flexible careers?
- Able to work anywhere: Jobs that can be done anywhere such as from home or on the road by only using equipment such as a phone, car, or laptop should be heavily considered in terms of job restoration. These career paths have the least risk of virus spread, and can even be considered the future of many roles to increase safety and flexibility.
- No-contact or minimal contact: These are types of employment where there are less human contact needed. Roles require working in isolation or dealing with equipment rather than interactions with others. If there is a way to lessen contact of a previous type of job, Mr. Doyle recommends doing so to prevent health and safety risks.
- Multiple platforms careers: Some types of work can shift from one medium to another, such as digital to in-person. This level of flexibility will allow workers to perform the work depending on the current health and safety situations in their workplace.
Resoting Careers, Restoring Livelihoods
The previous year was a difficult time for many people, but it doesn’t mean that life shouldn’t move forward. With these insights by Mr. Doyle, everyone can go back to their careers safely while considering those who should be on the top priority.