BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 109

Worker Shortage Challenges

In the period 20 May to 2 June 2024 (Wave 109), businesses were asked about how their businesses have been affected by a shortage of workers – the specific question asked is shown below.

Worker Shortage Challenges question: Which of the following challenges, if any, has your business experienced due to a shortage of workers?

• employees working increased hours
• had to pause trading entirely
• had to pause trading of some of the business
• had to recruit temporary workers
• unable to meet demands
• other
• not sure
• business has not experienced any challenges due to a shortage of workers

Figure 3: In Wave 109, 32.2% of businesses reported that a shortage of workers has resulted in employees working increased hours. The next most commonly reported impacts were that businesses had to recruit temporary workers (15.7%) and were unable to meet demands (11.9%). However, half of businesses (50.6%) reported that they had not experienced any challenges due to a shortage of workers.

Estimated share of businesses by worker shortage challenge. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 109 - 20 May to 2 June 2024.

Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 109 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘WorkerShortageChallenge’.