BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 92

Worker Shortages

In Wave 92, businesses were asked whether they are currently experiencing a shortage of workers. An estimated 31.5% of businesses were experiencing a shortage of workers - rising to 44.5% in the Accommodation & Food Services industry sector, and 39.1% in the Construction industry 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 some of the business
• had to recruit temporary workers
• unable to meet demands
• other
• not sure
• business has not been affected

Figure 1:  In Wave 92, 57.6% of businesses reported that the shortage of workers has resulted in employees working increased hours. The next most commonly reported impacts were that businesses were unable to meet demands (37.9%) and had to recruit temporary workers (17.1%). Comparing to the previous month, fewer businesses are now reporting these impacts.

Estimated share of businesses by impact of worker shortage. Businesses not permanently stopped trading and experiencing a worker shortage, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 92 - 18 September to 1 October 2023.

Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 92 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 1 data see table ‘WorkerShortageAffected’.