Businesses are opening, people are spending, venues are reaching capacity...but there's a problem. Where are the employees? If you have recently visited a local restaurant, mom & pop store, FEC, or any establishment that counts of numerous employees at a fixed wage, you are bound to see HELP WANTED signs. What you will also notice, is less staff, because those HELP WANTED signs are not getting answered. Even large retailers like Amazon are struggling to hire and retain employees and business are going to desperate measures to lure in employees. A quick Google search for "Amazon signing bonus" shows what we only commonly see in sports...a signing bonus. As of this newsletter, Amazon is offering a $3,000 signing bonus for a warehouse team member in central New Jersey and a base hourly wage starting at $20.65. And this doesn't stop at Amazon...Doubletree Hilton is offering a $600 signing bonus for a cook, a local car repair shop is offering up to $5,000 for a qualified technician, and the list goes on.
What is the reason behind this? Many will point to the extended unemployment benefits the federal government is issuing until September...and this many will be correct. But there are other concerns and ones, just like the September benefits, that we can hope will eventually run their course. Some people are still uncomfortable going out and working close to others. Some people mastered the art of working from home and no longer want to work "outside". And others simply cannot work because child care is too expensive.
Inc.com does a fantastic job explaining the job crisis in detail, as well as offering ideas on how to entice employees to come and work for you. To read the full store, click here: Why You Can't Find Employees and What to Do About It