Recruitment and retention of staff has been a massive issue since the COVID-19 crisis shook the labour market. People are leaving public-facing roles (e.g. in retail, hospitality, care and tourism) and some are not returning.
[Update 1st August 2022: The call for participants has closed for this project. This article is left for archiving purposes]
Looking after employee wellbeing has been associated with higher employee retention, better reputation (useful for recruitment) and better performance by workers – so developing a sustainable approach to workplace wellbeing could be very useful for employers in current conditions.
However, not all businesses are clear about cost-effective ways to address this. Managers worry about expense and time. This is why in 2021 we produced the ‘4 Boosts to for frontline workers ’ infographic, video and handbook, which highlight practical ways of working within businesses to improve working relationships and conditions.
Now, in 2022, the next phase of the University of East Anglia’s Good Jobs Project is underway and we need input from employers of frontline staff and their public-facing employees in Norfolk. We have two aims, we want to:
- Hear the opinions of more employers and employees on what makes a good job in their local area – Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Breckland and North Norfolk.
- Share the ‘4 Boosts for frontline worker wellbeing and performance’ with employers and hear what is relevant, useable or challenging about acting on them. This will help us improve our practical, evidence-informed resources.
Take part:
Employers: Would you be happy to discuss the experience of employing frontline workers (e.g. retail, hospitality, care, tourism, charities) in Norfolk with one of our researchers?
- The discussion will take approximately 30 minutes via video call and everything we hear will be anonymised before we use it for our research report.
- We will offer insight into the ‘4 Boosts’ for frontline workers during the discussion and answer any questions you have about the evidence that underpins them.
Employees: Would you be happy to discuss your experience of frontline work (e.g. in retail, hospitality, care, tourism, charities) in Norfolk with one of our researchers?
- The discussion will take approximately 30 minutes via video call and everything we hear will be anonymised before we use it for our research report.
- We will offer you a £20 Love2Shop voucher as a thank you for your time.
To take part, contact us before July 18th 2022:
Either 1) Please email R.Woodard@uea.ac.uk
Or 2) Use this contact form to send us your details and volunteer to take part and / or request more information.
Add your voice to those of other Norfolk businesses and workers. One of our researchers – Ritchie or Helen – will get back to you asap with more information and, if you are happy, arrange a mutually convenient time to speak with you.
