Downshifting benefits workers as well as bosses: Letter

Jo Gardiner
Monday 06 May 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: A survey from the Federation of Small Businesses highlights the disturbing phenomenon of the "jobless recovery". More than 82 per cent of small firms plan to create no new jobs in the next three months, in spite of apparent economic recovery.

Many employers claim that increased deregulation and flexibility enable them to hire people more easily. Yet the economic sector which is supposed to provide significant employment growth tells us not to expect any new jobs. Although official unemployment figures have shown a fall over the past few years, that trend may be on the turn.

Gillian Shephard, Secretary of State for Education and Employment, has said Britain is forging ahead in job creation "because the right conditions exist for companies to flourish". A genuine recovery has to include job creation. Companies cannot truly "flourish" in a society where increasing numbers of people are in under-protected, insecure work or have no prospect of employment at all.

Jo Gardiner

The Industrial Society

London W1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in