The Economics of Workforce Policy

Abstract

Abstract This chapter sets out a number of policy proposals which result from the analysis in the book. Where appropriate the methodology to be employed to implement the policy is detailed alongside the proposal. The policy proposals are: to adjust pay relativities to their equilibrium levels in order to resolve labour shortages; to develop a method for determining the optimal level of employment in each area of frontline activity in the NHS, a method which would enable cost–benefit analysis of any proposal to expand NHS employment to be undertaken; to commission research to explain ethnic pay gaps and differences in promotion opportunities within health care; to improve the quality of pay and vacancy data; to improve methods of workforce planning; to commission research to explore the impact of increased working from home and changed worker behaviour post-Covid-19 for recruitment and retention of frontline staff; to improve workforce efficiency under expenditure constraints by undertaking cost–benefit analysis of proposals to expand employment, reviewing the prominence of consultants in service delivery and increasing task substitution.