Why We Need To Quit Looking Down on 'Low-paid' Jobs
In light of recent events, it feels necessary to talk about low-paid jobs and the negativity that’s attached to them. Some examples of these are retail, cleaning, and hospitality. And let’s not forget that NHS staff are also incredibly underpaid for the work that they do; many of them sacrifice so much for so little reward. We need to show more respect for these workers because they play an essential role in society. They help to keep us alive, in more ways than one. It’s deeply sad that it’s taken something as drastic and awful as a pandemic to make so many of us open our eyes to the importance of these people.
Many people have sadly lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak and have found themselves in a state of panic and despair as they won’t be receiving any money until the foreseeable future. To lose your job at any time is an awful situation to be in but when it’s in the midst of the chaos it only exacerbates the problem. A lot of these people found that there was no other choice but to find employment in a supermarket for the time being so they can still be receiving income to put towards shopping and other expenses. Although that’s a sensible decision to make, I’ve witnessed some people expressing their disdain and viewing this career transition as a ‘downgrade.’
Working in retail isn’t a job that will suit everyone but we need to remind ourselves that retail workers are essential. If you’ve recently lost your job and are now working in a supermarket despite it not being your chosen career, just remember that this doesn’t have to be permanent but you are making a huge difference right now. There is simply nothing to be embarrassed about. You might not be exactly where you want to be, or even how you imagined things would be, but you are taking steps in the right direction. You’re helping people to eat. You’re helping people to survive. Supermarket workers are heroes.
Needless to say, we can’t revert back to how we were following the end of this crisis. We need to change not only our actions but our opinions too. No job should be undervalued or looked down upon; everyone has a purpose. We need to be more thankful for those people who provide so much to society. And we need to be more grateful for the NHS and for the food on our tables, which wouldn’t be possible without these amazing people dedicating their lives to helping others. This worldwide crisis has provided a really bad outcome but if we can also find some good things from this difficult time then not everything will be lost. Let our appreciation and support of others be one of the best things to come out of this. Perhaps we will also be more thankful for the things in our lives that we may have previously taken for granted.
Written by,
Coralle Skye