Dear Editor,

As Jamaica settles into a new year, it is time to honestly revisit how we define work, productivity, and survival in this economy. The cost of living has outpaced wages for years, and for many Jamaicans. Maybe it’s time we consider the conversation about flexible work weeks and opportunities for having more than one.

Food prices, rent, utilities, transportation, and school-related expenses continue to rise, while incomes remain largely stagnant. Against this reality, the expectation that one full-time job should be sufficient is increasingly unrealistic. Yet many workplaces still operate under rigid employment models that discourage or restrict workers from holding additional jobs, even when their earnings fall short of meeting basic needs.

This contradiction exposes a critical policy gap that must be addressed as we move into 2026. Multiple jobholding should not automatically be viewed as disloyalty or diminished commitment. For many workers, it is a rational response to economic pressure. When structured and supported appropriately, holding more than one job can increase financial stability, broaden skill sets, and reduce dependence on a single income stream — strengthening, rather than weakening, the workforce.

Central to this discussion is the urgent need to reconsider flexible work arrangements. A flexible work week, through staggered hours, compressed schedules, hybrid or remote options, and output-based performance measures offer a practical solution to present-day realities. It allows workers to meet their obligations responsibly while maintaining productivity, health, and dignity. The traditional nine-to-five model, designed for a different economic era, no longer reflects how many Jamaicans live and work today.

As we plan for 2026 and beyond, this conversation cannot remain theoretical. Workforce sustainability, mental health, and economic resilience all depend on our willingness to modernise labour policies now. Flexibility should be viewed not as leniency, but as strategic adaptation to an economy that has already changed.

Jaemar Johnson

johnsonjaemar@gmail.com