THE coronavirus pandemic has provided a chance to make Scotland’s economy stronger and fairer, according to almost half of Scots (48%) in new research.
Under 35-year-olds were even more likely to agree (59%), while 64% said that the pandemic has already made their business more socially responsible.
Protecting jobs was the top priority going forward for three out of four (74%), followed by staff wellbeing (67%) and creating innovative solutions to problems (53%).
The survey, which had 1230 respondents, was commissioned by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS), which supports company growth through employee ownership and co-operative business models.
Employee ownership gives employees a meaningful stake in their organisation together with a genuine say in how it is run.
Head of CDS, Clare Alexander, commented: “Evidence shows employee-owned businesses consistently outperform in terms of improved business resilience during times of economic crisis. They tend to be more productive with higher levels of staff engagement and wellbeing, particularly relevant during a time in which people are spending more time working from home.”
The employee owners at Highland Home Carers, Scotland’s largest employee-owned business, was able to support the staff financially through the crisis via pay increases, a profit share pay-out, an enhanced sick pay programme and a share buy-back scheme. It also introduced a programme in which staff can access a range of support services.
Setting up a community co-operative can be an effective way for people to safeguard public services, for instance coming together to take over a local shop or pub and prevent it from closing.
Clare Alexander added: “Combined with the greater community spirit that has been cultivated during Covid-19, now is the perfect time to champion community business models and the wider economic, social and environmental benefits they can deliver.”
Community co-op The Crunchy Carrot, a community-run shop in Dunbar, East Lothian, went from supplying 60 vegetable boxes per week before the pandemic to 350 during the early stages of lockdown, responding to the community in its time of need.
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