Chapter 7: Create fair employment and good work for all

The beginning of the pandemic saw a massive shift in the world of work. People, who could, were instructed to work from home. Many lost their jobs and large numbers were furloughed as many businesses were unable to keep operating.  

Unemployment in the Gateshead Borough stood at 5,500 (5.5%)* for the period April 2019 to March 2020. By period January 2020 to December 2020 this had jumped to 6,500 (6.2%) and had only fallen slightly to 6,400 (6.1%) for the period April 2020 to March 2021 Figures (July 2020 to June 2021) show a rise again to 7,100 (7.0%).  

The Gateshead claimant count grew from 5,860 (4.6%)** in March 2020 to 8,970 or 7.1% in April 2020 peaking at a high of 9,800 (7.7%) in August and then very slowly declined as the virus and lockdowns persisted to 9,240 (7.3%) in April 2021.  

Young people (18-24) were amongst the hardest hit nationally and this was also reflected locally. The picture on unemployment. 

* numbers and % are for those aged 16 and over. % is a proportion of economically active
** % is number of claimants as a proportion of resident population of the same age
Source: NOMIS Official Labour Market Statistics, 2021 30  

Employment was another area where we saw a big increase in advice demand. The peak of people seeking our advice on employment issues was earlier in the pandemic than for Universal Credit. Demand peaked in spring 2020. Before the first lockdown, we saw an average of 116 clients per month with employment issues, during the peak this almost doubled to 210 clients. Many people in this early wave wanted our advice on the pay and entitlements at work. Many also needed advice about the new Job Retention Scheme, also known as furlough. 
Judith Wood-Archer, Service Delivery Director, Citizen's Advice Gateshead 

It was a difficult time to be looking for work. 

Lucy's story

Working Gateshead helps residents access the right support at the right time for a fulfilling working life. Our free support helps people who are out of work, trying to secure their first job, in work and looking to change jobs, or just starting to think about work as an option.

Lucy* had been unemployed for three years and had very little confidence in her abilities. It made it difficult to know where or how to start looking for work. Working Gateshead meant Lucy didn't have to do it alone.
 

Due to Covid restrictions, Job Coach support was provided using telephone and video calls in order to look at career options; perform a 'better off calculation' to show the financial impact of starting work; personal coaching to build confidence; training to gain new skills. As Lucy's confidence grew, so did encouragement to apply for vacancies. Working together, they searched for jobs that would be a perfect match for Lucy's skills, personal goals and the hours she wanted to work.
 

After coaching on performing in interviews, Lucy became comfortable and confident talking to employers about what she had to offer, and soon secured a part time role which worked well with her childcare commitments. Lucy was provided with public health information about Covid to keep her safe and continued to receive support from her Job Coach throughout the pandemic; using technology to stay in touch and help her thrive in her new working life. *Name changed to protect anonymity. 
Christine Elliott, Operations Supervisor, Business, Employment and Skills, Economy, Innovation and Growth, Gateshead Council 

Covid-19 restrictions made it difficult for some self-employed business to continue to operate at times during the pandemic.

5,600 self-employed Gateshead residents (89% of those eligible) accessed £47.6m grant support across all five rounds of the Self Employed Incomes Support scheme operated by HMRC. In the final round for the period ending 30 September 2021 2400 were still claiming due to a loss of income as a result of COVID 19 with 75% reporting a reduction in turnover of 30% or more. (Gov.uk (2021) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: November 2021) 

Depending on their circumstances, not everyone found working from home right for them. 

Lockdown happened, I basically lost most of my routine and structure. I still needed that structure, so I was still able to do my paid role whilst everyone was still off on lockdown and I helped keep the charity going. I needed the routine and the structure, and it helped me with my mental health and wellbeing. Shaun Vinnicombe, Social Media Assistant, Skills 4 Work (Gateshead) 

Key workers and those who could not work from home, continued to go into work, often facing increased exposure to Covid-19. 

It was a bit weird when the pandemic started. Everyone seemed to be panicking. Basically, we had to do our job and we just seemed to manage it. With people being at home there was lots of rubbish. We had to wear face masks and disposable gloves.

The service had to get people in from other services to help as some of the usual staff were shielding and there was more rubbish to collect.

We got amazing feedback from the community. It really made you feel appreciated. I wouldn't like to have been stuck in the house furloughing. I just wanted to get on with the job. 
Andrew Gibbons, HGV Driver, Gateshead Council

Businesses worked hard to keep staff and customers safe and remain open when Covid-19 restrictions allowed. 

Our Trading Standards Officers, Environmental Health Officers and Enforcement Officers played a key role in supporting the Council's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We diverted them from their day job of protecting the public through their work in food safety and hygiene, planning and highways enforcement, consumer protection, and workplace, environment and product safety and used their professional skills to lead and co-ordinate a Covid-19 Business Compliance Team.
 

This team operated for 18 months providing expert advice, guidance and support on Covid-19 to Gateshead's businesses and event organisers, monitoring compliance with the ever-changing Covid guidance and legislation and where necessary carrying out enforcement action to ensure the safety of Gateshead's residents and visitors.
 

This included supporting and advising businesses who experienced Covid outbreaks amongst staff, ensuring they had all of the necessary measures in place to prevent workplace transmission so their businesses could continue to operate safely.
 

The business community in Gateshead responded positively to contacts from the team and compliance with Covid legislation was high across all types of business sectors. The majority of compliance was achieved through engagement and support and enforcement action in the form of fixed penalty notices and directions were only needed in a few cases. 
Elaine Rudman, Compliance and Regulatory Services Manager, Gateshead Council 

Trinity Square plays a major role in retail and leisure in Gateshead and those two sectors were among the hardest hit during the pandemic. We also have both essential and nonessential retail within our mix and up to 1,000 university students living on site, many of whom remained throughout lockdown, so we had to quickly organise, plan and mobilise our multi-faceted Covid-19 strategy quickly and robustly.
 

Trinity Square is ultimately a community resource in the heart of Gateshead so being able to operate throughout the pandemic has been paramount, in keeping our staff and customers safe while providing those daily essential needs and services. The ever-changing Covid landscape was a challenge for everyone but our approach was to work with all of our partners and stakeholders to ensure we were providing a safe and secure environment for all concerned and to reinforce Government and local authority messaging to our shoppers and visitors. Our goal has always been to fully reopen without casualty, helping our businesses survive and thrive and we are proud to strongly believe we achieved our aim and commitment. 
Tony Pickering, Centre Manager, Savills 

From a business continuity perspective, the pandemic presented many challenges, especially as it followed close on the heels of Brexit. Our business supplies a wide number of sectors and that helped us through the quiet periods during the height of lockdown. Although it wasn't easy, we maintained service levels throughout the pandemic for the key worker sectors that still required our products such as farming and distribution. We have then supported other sectors as they have reopened again.
Paul Booth, Managing Director, GB Lubricants 

In my role as Health and Safety Manager at GB Lubricants, I felt I had a personal responsibility to my colleagues to be the first point of contact for any questions or concerns they may have had in relation to Covid, especially as there were several myths and misinformation circulating on social media platforms. I signed up to become a Gateshead Community Covid Champion to allow me to share information from the weekly Teams meetings that I attend, and to subsequently distribute the clear messages throughout the wider company. This contributed towards a safer working environment for all and having the confidence that the messages I was delivering were factually correct, relevant and current made this a great deal easier.
 

Meeting people from other businesses, services and organisations on a weekly basis has also been a huge support. Sharing Covid stories and experiences made it clear that we weren't alone in our fight against Covid and that as a local community, we could get through the pandemic together. 
Emma Lynn, Health and Safety and Business Systems Manager, GB Lubricants 

If it wasn't for the furlough scheme, we wouldn't have been able to retain five members of our staff. It was just awful not being able to work. When we did reopen briefly in July and December, we were extremely grateful but to keep closing and reopening took its toll. To reopen, hopefully for good, on 12 April was a real milestone for us.
 

The way we work changed overnight when the pandemic hit. From wearing PPE to changing the salon's layout to ensure both staff and clients could abide by social distancing rules. In total, we lost 50% of our capacity. Before we could do a cut and blow-dry while someone sat with a colour on. We can't do that anymore. Ultimately, fewer clients mean less revenue.
 

When you're blow-drying hair all-day wearing PPE is uncomfortable. But at the end of the day, it means we can keep our business open and safe. If we have to wear PPE for longer, that's what we will continue to do. 
Bernie James and Susan Rudd, Co-owners of Urban Concept Hair Studio 

Next - Chapter 8: A healthy standard of living for all