Andrew from finance

It’s 11.58pm on a Wednesday. The emergency department of the Auckland hospital is buzzing. Orderlies guide patients along red lines taped on the floor and nurses float between ugly patterned curtains.Conscious and intentional thought occurs behind every action; these actions impacting real, human lives.

Watching this ‘buzz’ got me thinking about a chat we had at my first Neighbours programme, and a thought I have maybe once every few weeks. This conversation and relatively frequent thoughts, revolve around the differences in pay between various jobs. How can you compare the life-saving action made by a nurse, with a business director pitching a new idea to a client? Or designing a new product label? Or hiring a new employee? What about teaching a classroom full of eight-year-olds five days a week? 

My understanding of economics isn’t extensive (and ECON130 was my least favourite Uni course), so maybe I’m a little bit naive. However I do understand that businesses are hugely significant for the way that our society operates. It’s not that idea that makes me confused. It’s the idea that we place so much value on jobs that don’t really seem to be as high risk, high stake or ‘high-impact’ that leaves me stumped. Maybe, an economically-flourishing society and low-stake roles are intrinsically connected. But surely it’s not that simple…

I just can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that the people contributing the most to our society aren’t being recognised. For the record, I’m not saying that remuneration is the only form of recognition (although it’s got to be worth something in this cost of living crisis)! It’s more the fact that we can’t seem to level out the playing field.

This has nothing against CEOs, business directors and people that work in ‘low-stake’ jobs. I just reckon it’s time we started to have a good think about who’s actually nurturing, improving, and saving lives, and I just don’t know whether that’s Andrew from finance...