Are young workers disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
When the Covid-19 Pandemic first hit us here in Canada back in March 2020, my workplace was forced to close, as I’m sure was the case for most people across the country. The layoffs and temporary (and even some permanent) closures were not unique to students; however, it is easy to notice how students and young people may be feeling the effects of this pandemic on their workplaces more than some.
First, I want you to ask yourself, “Where do students and young people predominantly work?” Entry-level jobs, mostly retail and food industries. While fast-food restaurants remained open throughout the pandemic, indoor dining was closed, meaning the number of cashiers needed in a fast food restaurant was shrunk, resulting in fewer hours for part-time cashiers.
Restaurants were closed to indoor dining for most of the year, with patios opening and closing at the drop of a hat, leaving restaurant workers with uncertainty as to whether or not they would have a job the following week. Even while restaurants remained open for takeout, this meant fewer servers, bartenders, and hostesses would be needed, and it also greatly reduced a significant source of income for servers: tips. A vast majority of people do not feel they need to tip when ordering takeout because a server is not waiting on them hand and foot; however, the wages of these servers did not change when their workplace was forced to switch to take out.
As for retail, which is my personal place of work while in school, I found myself laid off and then back to work approximately every four months, working less and less time between layoffs every time. This inconsistency was not only stressful financially but led to the constant stress of wondering how to plan my life around school. Not knowing when I would be going back left my schedule in limbo; would I be thrown back into work right at exam time? This also lead me to feel overwhelmed; I would just be adjusting to having all the time in the world to dedicate to my schooling, and then be thrown into 40 hour work weeks. Just when I would get myself sorted out again and back into the rhythm of working and completing my school work, I would be laid off again, restarting the cycle. Humans are creatures of habit; most of us enjoy routine and stability, and this pandemic robbed us of those things almost entirely.
This is not to say people who are not students or young people did not have their workplaces impacted by COVID-19. However, students were also less likely to meet the requirements for unemployment benefits or emergency response benefits. Depending on how many hours of school students are required per week, they may be ineligible for EI, and if they were unable to put in enough hours before the pandemic because of their schooling, they may not have met the requirements for CRB, CERB, or CESB.
At the end of the day, each and every one of us has felt the impact of the pandemic on our lives, either in our work or in other areas. However, sitting by passively through difficult times is not a viable option for us, so what action can we take to improve our situation? For starters, if you are struggling financially, please don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help from available supports; social assistance programs, such as Ontario Works, are available for individuals over the age of 16 who need help covering the living expenses for themselves or their immediate family (you can find more information on this here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/social-assistance#section-1). There are also employment services available, such as the Job Gym, whose employment counsellors (and student employment counsellors, who can assist students) can provide services such as resume creating or editing, interview skill-building, and job search assistance to help you find a job and a steady income (you can learn more about Job Gym’s services and connect with an employment counsellor here: https://www.jobgym.com/). Furthermore – while a bit more on the adventurous side – you could start your own small business. While this may just be a temporary solution – turning a hobby into a small business to earn a little extra money while you search for work or wait to be called back from a layoff – it can help to keep your hands busy while stuck at home through a lockdown and can turn your hobby or passion into a source of income.
These are just a few tips for getting through these unprecedented times, but please, if you are struggling financially or emotionally while waiting to be called back to work or trying to find employment, exercise one or more of these tips, or think of and try some of your own! The only way through this pandemic is perseverance and positivity, so remember there are always supports available to you if you need them.
*Some other organizations to refer to for mental health support:
- ConnexOntario: 1-866 -531-2600
- Good2Talk Helpline: 1-866-925-5454
- Contact Niagara: 905-684-3407
- The Hope Centre: 570 King St, Welland, 905-788-0744
