BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 121

Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland estimates containing data to wave 121


Worker Shortage Challenges

In the period 18 November to 1 December 2024 (Wave 121), businesses were asked about how their business had 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 the period 18 November to 1 December 2024 (Wave 121), for an estimated 24.3% of businesses a shortage of workers had resulted in employees working increased hours. The next most common impacts were that businesses were unable to meet demands (15.8%) and had to recruit temporary workers (14.4%). However, 52.4% of businesses 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 121 – 18 November to 1 December 2024.

A bar chart showing that in Wave 121, for an estimated 24.3% of businesses a shortage of workers had resulted in employees working increased hours. However, 52.4% of businesses had not experienced any challenges due to a shortage of workers.

Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 121 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘WorkerShortageChallenge’.

Contact

For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
e-mail: industrystatistics@gov.scot

For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
e-mail: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot
 

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