BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 62

Worker Shortages

In Wave 62 businesses were asked whether they are currently experiencing a shortage of workers. An estimated 43.0% of businesses reported experiencing a shortage of workers - rising to 62.7% in the Accommodation & Food Services sector, and 45.0% in the Construction sector.

The BICS also asks businesses that are experiencing a shortage of workers, about how their businesses has been affected by this – the specific question asked is shown below.

Worker Shortage question: How has the shortage of workers affected your business?

• 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
• my business has not been affected

Figure 2: In Wave 62, 76.4% of businesses reported that the shortage of workers has resulted in employees working increased hours, and 40.9% of businesses reported that they have been unable to meet demands due to a shortage of workers.

Source: Office for National Statistics – BICS – Weighted Scotland Estimates – Wave 62