UK Workers Embrace "New Altruism" To Save Jobs

Workers across the UK are prepared to be flexible if it will stop their colleagues losing their jobs, according to a survey of over 2,500 people by the independent campaign Keep Britain Working (www.keepbritainworking.com).

The poll is published in advance of Wednesday’s Budget statement, which Gordon Brown has acknowledged needs to be “a Budget for jobs”.

A massive 95% would change their work conditions if it helped others keep their jobs, according to the survey.  Half of all workers would accept short-time working, 29% would accept a pay cut without reducing hours, 31% would lose benefits, 6% would accept a 3-month unpaid sabbatical, and 19% accept a sabbatical on 30% pay.   Three out of five would take on extra responsibilities, while 48% would change their role entirely if it kept their colleagues in work.

However measures need to feel fair to retain support.  If bosses asked for sacrifices without making any themselves, 49% would challenge their manager, while more than one in ten would take more direct action.   3% would go slow at work, 4% would walk off the job or seek redundancy, and a further 3% would consider strike action.

What’s more in a separate poll on the campaign’s website (www.keepbritainworking.com)more than two in five - 46% - said they would consider following the recent Belfast example and occupy a factory rather than accept wholescale redundancies.

James Reed, founder of the independent campaign Keep Britain Working, which has been endorsed by businesses, public sector organisations, unions and politicians across the spectrum, says: “There seems to be a new altruism at work.    If people believe that being flexible about their own employment conditions will help stem job losses they will take on change and make personal sacrifices – especially if bosses do their bit. 

“Indeed people are full of innovative and effective ways to help employers cope with the downturn other than by simply cutting jobs   Over 400 ideas, practical examples and advice have already been submitted to the Keep Britain Working website since it was set up only last month, with more supporters joining all the time."

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For further information, please contact:  Lewis Campbell, tel: 0207 616 2327/0207 616 2301 lewis.campbell@reedglobal.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

• In advance of the Budget statement by Alistair Darling, due on Wednesday 22nd April, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said last week, “Now we’ve got to get on with the job of creating opportunities for people, creating apprenticeships, creating new work and of course getting a budget for jobs” (Sky News, Thursday 16 April).

• New unemployment figures for the UK will be released on Wednesday 22nd April.

• UK unemployment figures, released on 18th March, showed that the number of people claiming jobless benefits in the UK posted a record increase in February, pushing unemployment above 2 million for the first time in almost 12 years.   According to the International Labour Organisation measure, unemployment rose to 2.03 million in the three months to January.  The corresponding unemployment rate rose to 6.5%, up 0.5 percentage points form the previous three months.

• Keep Britain Working (www.keepbritainworking.com) launched this year, with a clear goal to help preserve as many jobs as possible and create new ones.   Thousands of endorsements include those from all three main political parties and the trade union movement, as well as public and private organisations.  James Reed, CEO of recruitment giant Reed, initiated the campaign, but backs its independence to support its main objective that “Job#1 is to Keep Britain Working”.

Comments on Keep Britain Working include:

· "The Keep Britain Working initiative is an important effort to prevent people becoming unemployed"  Rt Hon James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

· "Keep Britain Working is a tremendous campaign that will bring help and support to employers from all sectors who are struggling through this recession" Rt Hon Theresa May MP Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

· "I am very pleased to support Keep Britain Working – pooling ideas to steer businesses, employees and thus the country through this recession" Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats"

· “Any campaign, such as Keep Britain Working, that engages with the causes of unemployment and backs effective measures to create and retain jobs will be welcomed by Britain's unions." Brendan Barber, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress

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