The pandemic should force us to reassess our views of those who work in the food retail industry. The sector is one of the world’s largest but most controversial employers, according to a column in The Times today.
When one thinks of such employment, the first thing that comes to mind is “big box” stores, offering precarious, low-status jobs.
Food retailing has failed to recognise the importance of the human in its operations. These businesses refer rhetorically to their people as a crucial ingredient but they do not acknowledge the shortcomings of such work, which traps people in low-paid and insecure employment schemes.
Research suggests that food retail workers are seen as second-class citizens.
More here (this sits behind a paywall).
