Think like an immigrant ... it could boost your work ethic

Immigrants have a better work ethic and that’s official now. It’s also a no-brainer, in my opinion, based on my personal experience. Of course we do. Presumably, researchers at the University of Bath worked hard on the study that assessed the number of absences from work by people who arrived in the UK from Central and Eastern Europe. To economists, according to the experts, there is a correlation between attendance at work and having a work ethic, which seems sensible, if a little too simple.

But, with more than 113,000 people – 1,300 of them immigrants – included in the study, it’s hard to dispute it too fiercely.

And, at the risk of showing my confirmation bias, I am ready to believe it: I’m an immigrant, having left Scotland for Canada four years ago, and I work hard.

I’ve seen plenty of similar situations involving people newly arrived in one country or another and keen to make the most of it.

There’s a twist, though. The work ethic identified by the Bath research only lasts two to four years, at which point the levels of absence tend to reflect those of the general population.

Yes, as newcomers get a bit more clued up, they become less likely to crawl into work when they’re hungover and more likely to chuck a sickie if they fancy a duvet day. Yes, everyone is genuinely ill sometimes so sick leave is everyone’s right but, well, people are still people, after all. That’s kind of funny, but there’s a lesson for us all here.

Few people are more motivated than someone who has taken a huge risk, enduring stress and disruption to move to an unfamiliar new country and establish a whole new life there.

I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, in both countries where I have lived.

I’m conscious of how lucky I have been and I’m determined not to waste my chances.

I’m not perfect, but sometimes I’ve wished more people could think like an immigrant.

Just imagine what we could achieve together if we all felt the same way.

Few people are more motivated than someone who has taken a huge risk.