Virtually all sectors of the European labor markets have been affected by the isolation of COVID-19 and due to restrictions on movement. Most businesses were forced to close completely. Businesses that continued to operate recorded a drop in revenue.
The European economy is projected to contract by about 7% and the unemployment rate will rise from 6.7% (2019) to 9% in 2020, according to the European Commission's Spring Economic Forecast. Given this factor, it is important to know how European businesses are preparing for the transforming labor market.
In this article, we will raise the following questions:
• What professions will be in demand?
* Who is at risk of losing their job?
• What do companies do to ensure that employees keep their jobs?
What professions will be in demand?
Many businesses and professions have suffered heavy losses due to COVID-19. However, some of them are currently thriving as they have experienced a significant increase in demand.
The restrictive measures taken by the government to stop the spread of the virus have led to major changes for companies, as most businesses adjust their business models and environments to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis.
Six professions that are in high demand
1. Experts in the field of health
The demand for health professionals has increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has shown the importance of good health and the crucial role that health professionals play in treating and limiting the spread of the virus. A large number of medical equipment and products, such as medical masks and hand sanitizers, are also in demand.
The unbalanced health workforce is a serious problem in the European region. According to WHO's main indicators, the number of doctors and nurses in Europe has increased by about 10% over the past decade. However, this increase is unlikely to be sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The demand for nurses is even greater as they play an important role in caring for an aging population.
If Europe wants to effectively curb the coronavirus pandemic, it needs to recruit the right number of health workers.
2. Delivery works
Since people adhere to the principles of social distancing and stay at home, new vacancies open up for courier drivers. There is a high demand for couriers who can deliver food and other basic necessities, as movement is limited.
After the isolation, demand for courier drivers in Europe increased dramatically, and the number of restaurants offering home delivery increased. Most restaurants were forced to close to adhere to the principles of social distancing, and some adopted home delivery services as a way to keep business going during the crisis.
3. Telecommunications
Today, more than ever before, many businesses are working remotely to ensure the safety of their employees in the face of a pandemic. While some sectors of the economy are failing, the sector is experiencing an unprecedented upturn as the value of telecommunications companies has soared.
4. Remote workplaces
Professionals such as web developers, content authors, marketers and others are in high demand. Since most workers have been forced to work from home as a result of social distancing, many businesses have switched to digital technologies, they have become automated. This explains the significant increase in demand for specialists who can perform their work remotely.
5. Software Engineer
Software engineers also rank high on the list of specialists in demand, as companies from different industries seek to improve their technical capabilities. Most software engineers can work from home. As a result, specialists can continue their activities by adhering to the "stay at home" rule.
6. Data analytics
Most companies are currently hiring employees to analyze the plethora of data on the spread of COVID-19 and how it might affect their business. This profession is included in the list of the most popular.
Who is at risk of losing their job?
It is no news that the COVID-19 restrictions are affecting all sectors of the European labor market. However, its impact varies from sector to sector. Most of the workforce is employed in industries with a huge drop in demand due to quarantine, resulting in massive job losses across the region.
The EU Statistics agency reports that about 397,000 people in the European Union lost their jobs in April. The European Union's unemployment rate rose from a 12-year low of 6.4% to 6.6% in April.
The International Labour Organization has warned that 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy are in immediate danger of losing their livelihoods.
To effectively minimize the number of job losses due to COVID 19, you first need to understand which jobs are most at risk.
According to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company, about 7.6 million jobs are at risk, with people with the lowest incomes most vulnerable to losing their jobs. Research data shows that almost 50% of jobs at risk are associated with occupations earning less than £ 10 an hour.
Another group of people who are most likely to lose their jobs are people from sectors that are most affected by social distancing principles. These sectors include, but are not limited to, hospitality, retail, art, transportation, and construction.
From the above, it is clear that unless urgent policy measures are taken, many people risk losing their jobs due to the impact of COVID 19 on the European labor market.
What companies are doing to get employees to keep their jobs
While the stay-at-home rule has helped a lot in the fight against COVID 19, it has undoubtedly had a strong impact on the well-being of employees at various companies. The epidemic has changed the normal course of work, and companies and employers must also adapt and take measures to retain their workers during this period.
Here are five ways companies can help employees keep their jobs.
* Training employees to work remotely
Adherents of any innovation most often get the most out of them. Since many companies are moving to digital technologies, it is important to train employees in the principles of remote work. Organizing e-learning can provide employees with the skills they need to successfully work in a remote work environment.
* Flexible working hours
As never before, the concept of flexible working hours has become very important. Working from home affects employees differently, as they have different housing conditions and responsibilities, so it is not recommended to generalize the work flexibility plan for employees.
It's important to talk to subordinates to know when and how they can best work with minimal distractions.
* Improving corporate communications
It is important for employees to have accurate information about the company's strategies and the various changes made to adapt to the new working environment during the COVID 19 period. The employer must convince employees of the reliability of their work, inform them about the strategies adopted by the company to combat the consequences of the pandemic .
* Study of the company's health policy.
While the isolation restrictions are lifted, any sick employee must stay at home so as not to put the health of others at risk. However, it was found that most workers are in the office, even if they are sick. Therefore, it is important to have a more flexible policy in relation to sick employees. This will allow them to honestly acknowledge their health status without fear of running out of their limited sick days.
* Ensuring safe working conditions
As an employer, you need to make sure that there is no risk of contracting the virus in the workplace. It is recommended to adhere to the principles of social distancing. If the office space is limited, it is recommended to introduce a shift work schedule. This will ensure that the workplace is not crowded at any given time.
* Taking the well-being of employees seriously
A healthy employee is a healthy business. Employers must develop strategies that will help the company ensure the well-being of employees in the face of crisis. You can consider introducing meditation into your daily routine as a way to help employees cope with stress, make them more attentive and productive.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the European labor market, increasing the number of job losses. Those at higher risk of losing their jobs include low-income individuals, young professionals working in industries such as hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment. With this in mind, companies should take measures such as flexible working hours, improved communication, and ensuring a safe work environment.