A Perspective from Jay Thinsa, Chief Operating Officer
The landscape of work is evolving before our eyes. A recent Glassdoor-Harris poll revealed a striking statistic: 39% of employees now maintain a side hustle to supplement their income - with numbers rising to 57% for Gen Z and 48% for Millennials.
These figures aren't just noteworthy - they're quite startling, reflecting how dramatically the professional world has transformed in just five years, with the pandemic serving as a powerful accelerant.
A System Under Pressure
Unfortunately, our healthcare systems, including the NHS, are struggling to keep pace.
Budget constraints have reduced temporary staffing opportunities, limiting income supplementation. As a result, talented professionals are either leaving healthcare or seeking opportunities abroad - an unsustainable trend that demands immediate attention.
Beyond Quick Fixes
At Kingdom Healthcare, we recognise that addressing this challenge requires more than quick fixes. This is a complex issue demanding a variety of stakeholders like policymakers, healthcare providers around the table to find sustainable solutions - solutions that create a holistic approach to workforce management and protect our national healthcare infrastructure for generations to come.
Our Response: Flexibility as a Cornerstone
Rather than resisting change, Kingdom Healthcare is embracing flexibility as a cornerstone of our employment approach. Across our complex care, domiciliary care, short break service, and social inclusion programmes, we're implementing several initiatives:
● Flexible scheduling options that accommodate personal commitments
● Skills development programmes that recognise and build upon diverse
experiences
● Career progression frameworks that value non-traditional career journeys
Beyond Recruitment: The Retention Imperative
The future of healthcare isn't just about recruitment - it's about retention. We understand that
by supporting our team members' diverse aspirations, we create a more committed and
resilient workforce. This approach delivers tangible benefits:
● Reduced burnout rates among our care professionals
● Enhanced service quality through teams that bring diverse experiences
● Improved retention rates, particularly among younger staff members
● Stronger community connections through team members with varied backgrounds
Looking Forward
At Kingdom Healthcare, whether you're joining us in Northern Ireland without prior experience or bringing your expertise to our teams across the UK, we're committed to supporting your whole career journey - not just the hours you spend with us.
As we continue our recruitment efforts throughout March, join Kingdom Healthcare today and experience a career that adapts to your needs. Explore open roles and see how our flexible approach can support your journey.
In this new era of work, we believe that by embracing change rather than resisting it, we can contribute to building stronger, more sustainable healthcare systems that serve communities across the United Kingdom while offering fulfilling careers to dedicated professionals.