Letter: I wish to commend Calvin Ayre for being an exemplary employer

Dear Editor:

I wish to commend Calvin Ayre for being an exemplary employer.

After reading Jamilla Kirwan’s touching story about her battle with cancer, I must commend Calvin Ayre for creating a flexible work environment that allowed her to continue working at home during treatment. I think many Antiguan companies should aspire towards creating such work spaces.

In 2024, we are not living in a time where tasks are as labour intensive as they once were. Much of what we once had to do manually, has now been automated. The laptop has long been invented, making the possibility of working from home quite real.

While the Labour Minister, Sir Steadroy Benjamin has shut down talks on the 4- day work week, I think more companies should be amenable to their employees working from home.

I understand that there are some tactile jobs which require a person to physically report for work. However, there are many modern jobs that a person can do from the comfort of their home.

Illness can visit us, some of us may even have mobility issues from a broken limb and instead of just thinking of getting better, we also have to worry about how we can maintain an income because many workplaces are rigid and do not offer access for people with mobility challenges. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to maintain the dignity of working and providing for yourself and not having to worry about the stress of physically being in office.

Some employees may not have the discipline to work at home and some may thrive off the social interaction but I’m sure many would cherish not having to worry about alternative childcare if their child is ill and unable to go to school and don’t have the pain of unnecessarily commuting to and from work.

I also believe much of the toxicity of a physical workplace could be eliminated from limited interaction with peers.

Sir Calvin, thank you for creating a work environment in Antigua that is cognizant of the needs of the modern professional. With that workplace model, you will have the best of the best working for you and wanting to give their best to your company.

Cheers,

Observer.

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