KINGSTON, JAMAICA — A four-day workweek could prove beneficial for Jamaica,
suggested the CEO of a regional recruitment service, who said businesses that can do so
should at least consider giving it a try.
“It’s reasonable to be skeptical about something this new, but the trial in Britain surprised
everyone with its positive results,” said Joseph Boll, Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
CEO. “Some British businesses were also hesitant to try something new, but instead found
there were benefits for employers and employees alike. Workers were happier and more
productive, which meant upper management was happy too. For Jamaica, which CAPRI (the
Caribbean Policy Research Institute) already noted has struggled with a labour productivity
challenge, this could be an unexpected way to turn the tide, and should at least be
considered by businesses that are able to.”
Caribbean Employment Services Inc. is a market-leading digital talent acquisition service
that aims to connect the top talent from the Caribbean with hiring managers, HR
professionals and decision-makers in companies both within the Caribbean as well as
abroad. Further, it aims to provide the region’s jobseekers and those who are already
employed with news and resources related to Caribbean labour.
Boll’s comments come as talk of whether Jamaican businesses could adopt a four-day
workweek have dominated the sphere of public opinion over the past week. A successful
trial of the shorter workweek in the United Kingdom has businesses and workers alight with
debate over whether Jamaica could possibly adopt a similar model.
In a report released at the beginning of this year, CAPRI called attention to a longstanding
labour productivity challenge in Jamaica, suggesting that public and private sector
businesses make more of an effort to adopt flexible working options. The independent
research organization outlined how this could help Jamaican workers have more human
capacity to perform well on their jobs. Similarly, over the course of the pandemic, many other
regional experts urged not just Jamaica but Caribbean countries on a whole to be more
receptive towards remote work, which could potentially address longstanding brain drain
challenges, allow more Caribbean businesses to access international labour markets and
help countries like Jamaica fulfill their vision of becoming global tech hubs.
“If not moving to a full four-day workweek — at least not right away — businesses should
definitely at least consider more flexible or alternative ways of working besides just the
standard 9-5 physical desk job,” Boll urged.
While he, like CAPRI, acknowledged a seeming reluctance among Jamaican businesses to
adapt to more modern ways of working, Boll said the benefits of seriously trying out more
modern work models could prove beneficial for Jamaica’s economy in multiple ways.
About Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
Caribbean Employment Services Inc., based in Barbados, is one of the market-leading
online talent acquisition services, specializing in helping businesses and organizations
recruit the best candidates for their roles and job seekers find their ideal position. For
international and national employers looking to source the best talent from the Caribbean
region and from the United States into their Caribbean businesses, we offer a range of
recruitment solutions, all developed to find the right candidates for their roles. Find out more
at https://caribbeanemployment.com or contact [email protected].
