Through its WorkBC program, the Ministry offers valuable job-seeking services. These include employment counselling and training support — even something as simple as looking over a resume. Services are free and WorkBC has a great track record of success. But for a variety of reasons, some clients delay applying.
To ensure timely uptake, the Ministry partnered with the BC Behavioural Insights Group.
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed all of our lives, at home and at work. Here at the BC Behavioural Insights Group, we’ve rapidly redeployed several of our team members to support the BC Government’s response. In this entry, we’re sharing a resource outlining how local governments are using behavioural insights to respond to COVID-19.
We’re hearing it repeatedly — without a vaccine, the most effective tool we have to suppress the spread of the coronavirus is massive widespread behaviour change. So, what’s the best way to promote these desired behaviours (increase hand washing, staying home) and discourage harmful ones (panic buying, sharing false information)? This question requires a rich understanding of what’s shaping our actions during this time and a set of tools to measure the effectiveness of various interventions.
Our chief provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, recommends that to combat the spread of COVID-19 we need to “hold the line” and continue physical distancing. So why isn’t everyone doing it? In the absence of effective treatments or a vaccine, physical distancing will give us the best chance to limit transmission in the medium-term and avoid a spike in infections.
The way in which governments around the world communicate with citizens during this global pandemic is critical — not only to help people feel safe and informed, but also to encourage everyone to take part in simple yet life-saving behaviours: hand washing and physical distancing. There have been posters, social media videos, comics, and infographics created in all corners of the world in an attempt to get the message out. As we, the BC Public Service, develop our messaging, it is important to consider how behavioural insights can add value.