We’ll start here, funny but not funny: Restaurant owner offers job to burglar instead of pressing charges https://www.wabi.tv/2021/04/08/restaurant-owner-offers-job-to-burglar-instead-of-pressing-charges/
But let’s get real:
I should prob add an addendum to last night’s thread: I mentioned how many people are quitting/leaving rn. Wanna know why? Overwhelmingly, among everyone I talk to, it’s b/c of how they’re being treated by guests right now. Everyone hates their job right now. Because. Of. Guests.
— Mark Willard 💉💉🇭🇰 (@MarkWillard85) April 23, 2021
Just because we pay competitive wages *within* our industry doesn’t mean they’re competitive across other industries.
The Existential Crisis for hospitality is here: We need to sound the alarm on our hiring problems and open positions. And frankly, we need to be serious in setting expectations and informing our owners, if they don’t understand or aren’t aware. It’s so imperative to get in front of it, and help people understand this isn’t about the quality of your team or the skill of the management. We need a BIG conversation. Something is VERY wrong. I’m talking 400 person zoom roundtable of the industry leaders type of big discussion, and it’s past due. It looms over all of us, a lonely fear we struggle with daily, and something that will cripple our future.
This isn’t about the difficulties right now, during the remnants of our horrible pandemic. This is about after it, and our future in hospitality and food and beverage: addressing that there may be a we can’t properly operate because of the lack of human resources. This issue has NOTHING to do with current skill sets or wits with owners, management, etc. This isn’t about “well some people aren’t good at operations or management”, and there is not superhero that will come in to save us. The greater issue is that this is happening regionally and people are talking about it, but the National reporting and minds trying to fix it are sort of really just getting going.
Our industry of service and hospitality is ROUGH. The value of a $65,000 salary in hospitality is less than the $65,000 salary of, let’s say, a tech job. So as we’ve been pinning payment and benefits to our comp sets within the industry, we’ve been losing people for years to other industries where the salary might be similar, but it’s less stress with better benefits. The bennies at my friend’s giant tech company horrify me, and how far behind we are. To figure out where we need to be to get people through the door, and to keep them retained, the salaries we may need to pay within the industry for either line employees or management might be so out of whack, we couldn’t operate the business. This is a terrifying, Lovecraft-like cosmic and existential problem for us.
Baby Boomers retired, and the replacement stock of Gen-X is too small, and millennial attitudes of work life balance are a seismic shock. Why wear a uniform and nametag and drive to a job to be screamed at by a Karen, when they can wear a robe at home with their dog and get paid the same? There’s also the pandemic and everyone rehiring at the same time. It’s likely the way this will impact our wages will be forever devastating as we go into a bidding war for bodies. Some people’s entire family lives and set up and processes have changed… some may never leave a home job again, some may not go back to work, some can’t because of child care, school, and incomplete guidance, etc. The process of getting back to “normal” in 2021 will be painful and take all year.
And attitudes have shifted, while we sat in the past:
Older millennials made it to management—now they’re wondering if they even want to be the boss https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/22/burned-out-millennials-are-rethinking-if-they-want-to-be-the-boss.html
Government Pandemic Stimulus has been proven to not be keeping bodies away, and this lie we tell ourselves will work against us.
Apparently the idea people aren’t taking jobs because of government benefits might be anecdotally true, but proven false. I know I’ve anecdotally heard one or two stories, but if true, this is even more worrying. If that is truly the case, we’re in bigger trouble, and I partially believe we’re telling ourselves this myth to comfort ourselves, and we’ll be mystified and caught off guard when the end of the benefits don’t fill our hallways with staff. The silver lining might be that they will eventually come back, and what’s stopping them is simply fear.
I’ve a different fear, and that’s “how many people have we lost to other industries, forever?”. But not wanting to be suspicious of our work force, it’s nice to see real data saying I was right. I hate being cynical and distrusting the people that run the ship, you know? This employment problem has been really bad for at least 5 years. It’s disingenuous to blame our own employees on the pandemic and government funds when it appears to be patently untrue. People’s belief systems and cognitive dissonance may not want to believe it, because it fits their world view. But I’m done talking about it. The data guides me:
YALE ECONOMISTS’ STUDY: Unemployment benefits aren’t creating a disincentive for job seekers https://www.axios.com/unemployment-benefits-jobs-coronavirus-d6ec8105-2abe-4382-81a1-646d17ee17cb.html
Chicago U study, a separate one, confirms these findings: https://bfi.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BFI_WP_2021-19.pdf
So, this post is absolutely INSANE. It makes no sense. If it hadn’t become a game for me, I wouldn’t have wasted my time. But it’s also insane in documenting all this, because it’s an indicator we’re in open water and the storm is already here… we just didn’t notice it 5 years ago. 10 years? 15? What did we miss?
The below documentation is from two search strings: “hiring crisis filling jobs” and “struggling to fill jobs”. I know this is the national desk for the people owning the stations to say “hey, we’re hearing this trend, is there a story?”, which jump started this reporting trend in local communities. But regardless, it’s obviously very big and very real. I didn’t work hard at this… copied and pasted links. When I saw how many search results from so many local news stations, it quickly became an astonishing game of “can I get every state”. I did. Easily.
I quote the data from this article to get us going, and provide a clear and non-starry eyed assessment with real numbers and data:
America scrambles for restaurant workers https://www.yahoo.com/news/america-scrambles-restaurant-workers-093035815.html
This article uses data to paint a clear picture:
Vaccinations keep climbing, and restaurants are ready to roar back this summer. But eateries from Miami to Martha’s Vineyard to Los Angeles are facing the same problem: not enough workers.
The big picture: Millions of restaurants are hiring all at once and, after a deadly pandemic, the jobs of waiters, cooks, and hosts seem more dangerous than they ever have before. All of this is contributing to a nationwide hospitality worker shortage as the economy opens back up.
By the numbers: The pandemic wiped out 2.5 million restaurant jobs and forced more than 100,000 eateries to shutter. And now the ones that made it through 2020 can’t find staffers.
- According to Census survey data from early April, a whopping 37% of small businesses in the hospitality and food sectors say their operating ability was affected by worker availability. When looking at all small businesses, the statistic was just 16%.
Main Streets nationwide are feeling the shortage.
“After a whole year of waiting, guests are clamoring to come back. And restaurants have invested in these expanded outdoor areas, and they need people right now,” says Alice Cheng, founder of Culinary Agents, a hospitality job search site. “But they’re not finding them.”
- Charlotte, North Carolina restauranteur Jon Dressler remembers being short one part-time dishwasher before the pandemic, and now he’s looking for four kitchen workers and 10 servers, Axios Charlotte’s Katie Peralta Soloff reports.
- As travel starts up again, advance vacation bookings are spiking on Martha’s Vineyard, but restaurant and hotel owners are struggling to hire enough employees, per the Martha’s Vineyard Times.
- One McDonald’s in Tampa Bay, Florida is offering applicants $50 just to show up for an interview, Business Insider reports. In fact, according to a recent survey of employers by Culinary Agents, the top reason roles aren’t getting filled is no-shows at interviews.
What’s happening: The hospitality industry was among the hardest hit during the pandemic, and that’s making its recovery even tougher.
- “Everybody is reopening at the same time” and that means everybody is hiring at the same time, which makes it harder to find workers, says Cheng.
- On top of that, restaurant work — especially customer-facing roles like server and host — is still seen as hazardous. “Some people are still concerned about getting the virus at an in-person job,” says Jed Kolko, chief economist at the jobs site Indeed.
- And many Americans who worked in hospitality have simply left the industry amid the pandemic. Anecdotally, there are plenty of servers and bartenders joining training programs to get new jobs in tech or finance.
- There’s also a shortage of foreign workers, due to former President Donald Trump’s ban on temporary foreign workers and pandemic travel restrictions. The Trump ban lapsed on March 31, but employers fear there’s not enough time to fill jobs by the busy summer.
- Some employers are saying they can’t compete with unemployment insurance checks and that workers would rather collect benefits than go back to work. But a 2020 study by Yale economists found that unemployment benefits don’t create a disincentive for job seekers.
Silver linings: Service employees have long been treated as disposable workers. Now, with restaurants desperate to hire, the power is finally in the hands of workers — and that’s a good thing, Cheng says.
- Restaurants are already starting to offer referral and retention bonuses to attract talent. And workers can be pickier and seek out more pay or robust health benefits, she says.
What to watch: The latest COVID-19 relief package includes a $28.6 billion fund to help restaurants get back up and running.
- And congressional Democrats’ proposed legislation to raise the federal minimum wage would also help restaurant workers by boosting the minimum tipped wage, which currently sits at $2.13 an hour, to $4.95 an hour.
So now we move on to more reporting. This is more or less just to scroll through, see what’s relevant to you, and just sort of realize you’re not alone. This is a national crisis, likely global, and we need to have an immediate roundtable for the whole industry.
I had even joked about robots the other day, and The Onion meets reality. First they were 100% a charming gimmick, now?
South Florida restaurant employs robot servers to counter staff shortages https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/south-florida-restaurant-employs-robot-servers-counter-staff-shortages/QDNDELPLABA6JBMFQUQHJJ7FK4/
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE BELOW ARTICLES ARE FROM THE PAST 30 DAYS, as of April 22, 2021.
National
Why the post-pandemic economy will include higher prices, worse service, longer delays “The reason that there are so many openings is that they do not pay a living wage,” said one job seeker. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/why-post-pandemic-economy-will-include-higher-prices-worse-service-n1264967
FOR HR people who stumble on this post, commiserate with your support group on reddit: RECRUITING HELL! https://www.reddit.com/r/recruitinghell/comments/muykyr/employers_why_are_we_struggling_to_fill_positions/
Job *searches* during pandemic drifted away from hardest hit industries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272720302139
Karen Fichuk, CEO of Randstad North America, a recruiting firm, said the company is seeking to fill 38% more permanent jobs than it was at the end of last year. Demand for workers is particularly strong in manufacturing, information technology, logistics, and health care. Moderna gets FDA OK for two changes to get extra vaccine doses from each vial “We are definitely starting to see the economic recovery reach a turning point, including in the hardest hit industries, such as hospitality,” Fichuk said. “We can hardly keep up.” https://kfor.com/news/hopes-rise-for-a-job-boom-this-year/
Taco Bell, McDonalds, and Johnny Rockets are struggling to find enough workers to fill thousands of positions as US economy re-opens https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-struggles-to-hire-as-demand-soars-us-economy-roars-2021-4
Walmart offers workers full-time employment in bid to retain them https://nypost.com/2021/04/14/walmart-offers-workers-full-time-employment-in-bid-to-retain-them/
40% of Small Business Owners Are Having Trouble Filling Job Openings. Here’s Why. Ironically, the government’s response to unemployment has actually prolonged and created it. https://fee.org/articles/40-of-small-business-owners-are-having-trouble-filling-job-openings-new-report-finds/
Second Chances: Former Felons Are Filling Jobs with Great Results Manufacturers are finding that returning citizens can be highly motivated workers. https://www.mhlnews.com/labor-management/article/22055588/second-chances-former-felons-are-filling-jobs-with-great-results
NPR Marketplace Small businesses are having trouble filling job openings, so some wages are rising https://www.marketplace.org/2021/04/15/small-businesses-are-having-trouble-filling-job-openings-so-some-wages-are-rising/
Restaurant industry facing hiring crisis: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/employee-management/restaurant-industry-facing-hiring-crisis
Cynical take on employee retention, suggesting how and why we got here: https://hrexecutive.com/the-real-crisis-in-hiring/
Fast food and big chains: Is the Restaurant Industry Facing a Hiring Crisis? Sales might be bouncing back. Employment, on the other hand, is a different conversation. https://www.qsrmagazine.com/employee-management/restaurant-industry-facing-hiring-crisis
Manufacturing: 89% of Small Manufacturers Can’t Fill Job Openings In 2018, small manufacturers generated 11.6% of the U.S. economic output and employed 8.5% of the workforce, but 89% can’t find employees. https://www.industryweek.com/talent/article/22027678/89-of-small-manufacturers-cant-fill-job-openings
Very good read: RESTAURANTS’ SALES ARE RETURNING, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THEIR WORKERS Operators say hiring has become their top problem again, even with nearly 2 million former restaurant workers still out of a job. https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/restaurants-sales-are-returning-not-necessarily-their-workers
It’s never been this hard for companies to find qualified workers About 7 in 10 companies reported talent shortages in 2019, the worst level ever, according to Manpower Group. The level is more than three times higher than a decade ago. Job placement professionals say companies need to pay more and provide better training. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/its-never-been-this-hard-for-companies-to-find-qualified-workers.html
Unemployment Is High. Why Are Businesses Struggling to Hire? Health concerns, expanded jobless benefits and still being needed at home are among the reasons would-be workers might be staying away. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/upshot/unemployment-pandemic-worker-shortages.html
STATES
Alabama
Businesses Struggling to Fill Jobs AS Economy Returns to Normal https://www.alabamanews.net/2021/04/21/businesses-struggling-to-fill-jobs-as-economy-returns-to-normal/
Alaska
Can’t fill many jobs: teacher shortage, a prosecutor shortage, and a gold miner shortage: This https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/03/29/with-positions-unfilled-prosecutors-in-western-alaska-struggle-to-prioritize-massive-caseloads/ & also this https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/04/13/covid-could-make-teacher-shortage-even-worse-hard-hit-rural-schools/7189706002/
Arizona
‘We’ve done everything’: Why these Phoenix restaurants are struggling to hire workers https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2021/04/05/phoenix-restaurants-struggling-hiring-covid-19/4845460001/
Arkansas
Businesses Scramble for Help As Job Openings Go Unfilled https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/135445/businesses-scramble-for-help-as-job-openings-go-unfilled
California
SF Bay Area: Restaurants say they’re having trouble hiring; employees found other jobs during pandemic https://www.ktvu.com/news/restaurants-say-theyre-having-trouble-hiring-employees-found-other-jobs-during-pandemic
I will say, watching my wife’s hotel is amazing. The shiniest new thing underpinned by the brand that is Four Seasons, with independent hotels not able to offer the stability or benefits, and with Calistoga Ranch and Meadowood out of commission, they’re in a very good position vs the rest of the.. uhhh.. country. But: California Wine Country hotels reopen but struggle to rehire workers https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/north-bay/california-wine-country-hotels-reopen-but-struggle-to-rehire-workers/
Restaurants facing difficulties hiring back staff after COVID-19 woes https://abc7.com/restaurants-bars-hiring-jobs/10445589/
California add jobs but not everyone is applying: https://www.kcra.com/article/california-adds-new-jobs-february-not-everyone-applying/35958130#
Colorado
Routt County’s problem finding workers to fill low-wage service jobs will survive pandemic https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/routt-countys-problem-finding-workers-to-fill-low-wage-service-jobs-will-survive-pandemic/
Local businesses that are hiring struggle to fill jobs https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/local-businesses-that-are-hiring-struggle-fill-jobs/a227a6c1-beb9-43b0-9de3-5007c5e424b5/
no fair, pre-pandemic Dec 2019: Ski Resorts Sweeten The Pie To Attract Seasonal Workers https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/ski-resorts-sweeten-pie-attract-seasonal-workers#stream/0
Connecticut
Even with high unemployment, Connecticut employers struggle to fill open positions https://www.theday.com/article/20210416/BIZ02/210419547
Businesses struggling to hire say unemployment may be deterring applicants https://bronx.news12.com/businesses-struggling-to-hire-say-unemployment-may-be-deterring-applicants
Employers Struggling to Fill Jobs Many employers across Connecticut glad to be expanding their businesses as we slowly emgerge from the pandemic, say they are having a hard time hiring employees. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/top-video-ott/employers-struggling-to-fill-jobs/2471707/
Some Conn. Employers Struggling to Fill Jobs More and more jobs are being posted in Connecticut, but some employers say it is difficult to find people to fill them. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/some-conn-employers-struggling-to-fill-jobs/2471652/
Delaware
Ocean City labor shortage worries businesses as a flood of tourists plan beach vacations https://www.delawareonline.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawareonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmaryland%2F2021%2F04%2F22%2Focean-city-maryland-jobs-shortage-businesses-vacations-travel%2F7290620002%2F
Florida Is a TRAINWRECK
(but also they’re extremely liberal disclosure and reporting laws for authorities, which generates reams of “I have to click this” impact journalism (it’s why every state doesn’t have a “florida man”, the worst super hero ever)
Restaurants offer cash incentives to attract workers amid shortage Florida restaurateur Jason Fernandez says he is ‘desperate’ to hire workers https://www.foxbusiness.com/small-business/restaurants-offer-cash-incentives-to-attract-workers-amid-shortage
Southwest Florida: Employers are struggling to fill job openings https://www.winknews.com/2021/04/08/employers-are-struggling-to-fill-job-openings/
Florida business owners struggle to find workers: ‘We shouldn’t be competing with the government’ Jobs remain unfilled despite 4.7% unemployment https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/fl-business-owners-struggle-to-find-workers-youre-competing-with-the-government-and-we-shouldnt-be-competing-with-the-government
‘A mass exodus’: North Florida restaurants, bars feeling extreme impacts of hiring shortages Some local restaurants are even offering signing bonuses for new staff members. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/money/economy/north-florida-restaurants-bars-hiring-shortages-florida/77-cfc4fd5a-f716-4ff1-970b-b71f685e7251
‘No one can find anyone’: Business owners say labor pool is shrinking, waiting for new applicants Businesses like The Bearded Pig say they are hoping to fill open positions, but some job ads haven’t gained any responses. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/no-one-can-find-anyone-business-owners-say-labor-pool-is-shrinking-waiting-for-new-applicants-jobs/77-c7c208d6-4374-4313-b21d-8e4f2404bc30
Port Charlotte – Is it easier not to work? Staffing crisis slams local restaurants https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/news/is-it-easier-not-to-work-staffing-crisis-slams-local-restaurants/article_92708124-9804-11eb-8d36-5f2d1fc60e9c.html
Broward County- As Brevard job count increases, many employers finding difficulty filling open positions https://www.floridatoday.com/story/money/business/2021/04/20/economy-improving-brevard-employers-having-tough-time-filling-jobs/7276130002/
Myrtle Beach businesses can’t find enough workers to fill — or even apply for — jobs https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/business/tourism/article250279650.html
Central Florida: Central Florida Restaurants Struggling to Fill Open Positions https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2021/04/05/central-florida-restaurants-struggling-to-fill-open-positions
Georgia
Atlanta: Employers are hiring again but struggling to find workers – Some blame jobless benefits, but other factors also at play https://www.ajc.com/ajcjobs/employers-are-hiring-again-but-struggling-to-find-workers/VU7GFRW4K5F4JINJFNP5DL3534/
Georgia café owner struggles to fill open positions: ‘Hard time’ for small businesses Angela Yeo says she was forced to close her café one day a week due to the staffing shortage https://www.foxnews.com/us/georgia-cafe-owner-struggles-find-workers
Augusta: Unemployment is decreasing, but business struggle to fill open positions https://www.wrdw.com/2021/04/19/unemployment-is-decreasing-but-business-struggle-to-fill-open-positions/
Hawaii
Maui Employers scramble to find skilled labor amid difficulty hiring https://www.destinationmaui.net/employment-dilemma/
Maui small businesses fight to hire, retain employees https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2019/04/18/mauis-fight-for-talent.html
Idaho
Boise restaurant owners struggle to fill job openings One restaurant owner blames unemployment insurance for the difficulties, but an Idaho Department of Labor economist says benefits do not provide a living wage. https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-restaurant-job-openings/277-b716db6d-0a88-43de-ad01-deee658b6f20
Boise: ‘More competition’: Some local employers struggle to fill jobs as the economy roars back to life https://boisedev.com/news/2021/04/08/more-competition-some-treasure-valley-employers-struggling-to-fill-jobs-as-the-economy-roars-back-to-life/
Illinois
Chicago: Where are the workers? Small businesses struggle to fill jobs. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-covid-hiring-worker-shortage-20210421-iltihx64ejgdbduflqfglewawe-story.html
Springfield: Job openings plentiful; employers struggle to find workers https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/job-openings-plentiful-employers-struggle-to-find-workers/AYG3HXHEPVENXBAS6LFOZ32PTM/
Indiana
Fort Wayne: Companies in region struggle to find workers in an environment favoring job seekers https://fortwaynesnbc.com/2021/04/06/companies-in-region-struggle-to-find-workers-in-an-environment-favoring-job-seekers/
Iowa
Iowa restaurants struggle to hire staff as demand from dine-in service returns https://www.kcci.com/article/some-iowa-restaurants-struggle-to-hire-staff-as-demand-for-dine-in-service-returns/36197712#
Davenport: Some employers struggling to fill positions even with high unemployment “Some of those people just wanted temporary work because they were out of work at the time.” https://www.wqad.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/some-employers-struggling-to-fill-positions-even-with-high-unemployment/526-c5a7370e-2ff2-4b4c-a621-234b5551a3d0
Kansas
Thousands of jobs open in Kansas, some owners say it’s hard to fill vacant positions https://www.ksn.com/news/thousands-of-jobs-open-in-kansas-some-owners-say-its-hard-to-fill-vacant-positions/
Kentucky
Louisville, southern Indiana restaurants face staffing struggles as diners return The shortage comes at a bad time, with more people returning to restaurants after getting their vaccines. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/louisville-restaurant-hiring-struggle/417-29db2777-d745-43b0-aa41-7642f3c976a8
When someone says Kentucky employers can’t fill jobs with good workers, ask “at what wage?” https://kypolicy.org/the-problem-is-bad-jobs-not-bad-workers/
Louisiana
Filling positions Louisiana is daunting, w/ over 93% of establishments being understaffed https://www.wdsu.com/article/best-reusable-produce-bags/36199534
Maine
Businesses struggling to hire despite economy opening up Owners say that some would-be workers cite fear of COVID, pay from jobless benefits and the need to stay home with their kids as reasons for not seeking work. https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/nation-world/covid-hiring-problems/507-54198a18-b93b-417f-b8d5-a473e054761d
Maryland
Some businesses scramble for help as job openings go unfilled https://thedailyrecord.com/2021/04/22/some-businesses-scramble-for-help-as-job-openings-go-unfilled/
Restaurants struggle to find workers as business picks up https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2021/04/14/hiring-shortage-baltimore-restaurants.html
Workers weigh in on shortage of staff https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2021/04/14/hiring-shortage-baltimore-restaurants.html
Massachusetts
‘We Just Need More People’: Restaurant Owners Struggling To Find Staff As Former Employees Collect Unemployment https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/04/22/massachusetts-restaurant-owners-hiring-staff-unemployment-benefits-covid-19/
Michigan
Detroit: Extra unemployment money makes it hard to find workers https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2020/06/25/businesses-say-extra-unemployment-money-makes-hard-find-workers/3224316001/
Minnesota
Increased unemployment benefits are preventing employers from hiring Last week, KPVI ran a report titled: ‘Some Minnesota businesses report hiring problems, citing enhanced unemployment benefits‘: https://www.americanexperiment.org/employers-say-that-increased-unemployment-benefits-are-preventing-them-from-hiring-workers/
2nd non-service article: summertime parks: Minnesota parks departments struggling to fill summer jobs https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/04/18/minnesota-parks-departments-struggling-to-fill-summer-jobs
Mississippi
Local restaurants struggle to keep staffing https://www.wlbt.com/2021/03/27/local-restaurants-struggle-keep-staffing/
METRO RESTAURANTS STRUGGLING TO FILL STAFF POSITIONS SINCE COVID https://www.northsidesun.com/local-news/metro-restaurants-struggling-fill-staff-positions-covid
Missouri
Kansas City restaurants struggling to fill empty job openings as business picks up https://fox4kc.com/business/kansas-city-restaurants-struggling-to-fill-empty-job-openings-as-business-picks-up/
Montana
Businesses struggle to fill positions while unemployment sits at 4% in MT https://www.kulr8.com/news/businesses-struggle-to-fill-positions-while-unemployment-sits-at-4-in-mt/article_3d4ae18c-9735-11eb-ae88-dfe3a1e79ba6.html
Nebraska
Worst Restaurant Staffing Shortage in history: Omaha restaurants struggling with staffing shortage as business picks back up https://www.wowt.com/2021/04/15/omaha-restaurants-struggling-with-staffing-shortage-as-business-picks-back-up/
Nevada
Las Vegas: Some local businesses having trouble filling job openings https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/some-local-businesses-having-trouble-filling-job-openings-2315884/
New Hampshire
NH Seacoast Expecting Busy Summer, But Businesses Need More Seasonal Workers The coronavirus pandemic made the summer of 2020 a slow season in Hampton Beach and other travel destinations, but with higher demand this year and a lack of international students, companies are having trouble staffing up https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/nh-seacoast-expecting-busy-summer-but-businesses-need-more-seasonal-workers/2362340/
New Jersey
Capacities, Costs up, but COVID-Battered Restaurants Still Struggle with Staffing https://www.njpen.com/capacities-costs-up-but-covid-battered-restaurants-still-struggle-with-staffing/
Beyond discourteous customers giving employees a hard time, restaurant owners are having trouble hiring staff in the first place. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/03/restaurant-owners-are-glad-to-be-getting-busier-but-stop-complaining-about-the-rules-they-beg.html
New Mexico
Albuquerque hotel can’t find people for open positions https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-hotel-has-more-than-a-dozen-openings-but-manager-says-they-cant-find-workers/36150539#
Restaurants struggling to hire back employees as some want to stay on unemployment https://www.krqe.com/news/business/restaurants-struggling-to-hire-back-employees-as-some-want-to-stay-on-unemployment/
Local home caregiver business struggles to find workers despite easing pandemic restrictions https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/local-home-caregiver-business-struggles-to-find-workers-despite-easing-pandemic-restrictions/6079292/
New York
‘We have jobs we can’t find people for’: Business roundtable highlights issues in Broome Congresswoman, local business officials discuss the challenges facing Broome County during virtual roundtable discussion https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/2021/04/09/claudia-tenney-ny-22-jobs-internet-legal-weed/7110442002/
NY: Businesses are struggling to hire workers — and say Uncle Sam is to blame https://nypost.com/2021/04/14/businesses-are-struggling-to-hire-workers-and-say-uncle-sam-is-to-blame/
Syracus: Help wanted: Why CNY restaurants are struggling to find staff https://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/2021/03/help-wanted-why-cny-restaurants-are-struggling-to-find-staff.html
Manhattan: Jobs Are Returning to New York’s Restaurants. Will Workers? https://www.grubstreet.com/2021/04/nycs-restaurants-are-hiring-but-struggling-to-find-workers.html
Fayetteville: Competing with unemployment checks, local restaurants are struggling to fill open positions https://www.localsyr.com/jobs/competing-with-unemployment-checks-local-restaurants-are-struggling-to-fill-open-positions/
Local businesses struggle to fill positions as competition with unemployment checks continue https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/top-stories/local-businesses-struggle-to-fill-positions-as-competition-with-unemployment-checks-continue/
Restaurants face hiring crunch amid pandemic struggles https://hudsonvalley.news12.com/restaurants-face-hiring-crunch-amid-pandemic-struggles
North Carolina
Jobs remain unfilled as unemployment benefits outpace wages https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/jobs-remain-unfilled-as-unemployment-benefits-outpace-wages/19615642/
Retailers struggling to fill jobs The National Retail Federation expects sales to hit record levels coming off the pandemic. https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/retailers-struggling-to-fill-jobs-coronavirus-economy-business-finance/275-fdaa2625-1de0-44a0-beb0-79291ebef82c
Wilmington Restaurants struggle to find workers as pandemic eases Unemployment money competition, childcare struggles, and fears of getting sick keeping workers home https://www.wect.com/2021/03/31/restaurants-struggle-find-workers-pandemic-eases/
Raleigh Durham: As restaurants and bars reopen with increased capacity, they face another challenge — a staffing shortage. https://www.wral.com/business-owners-struggling-to-fill-open-positions/19615803/
Wilson employers having difficulty finding people to fill hundreds of job openings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGApjss4ESk&t=5s
Hampton Roads employers struggling to find workers offer hiring incentives https://www.pilotonline.com/business/vp-ib-employers-hiring-20210413-lnoeazwqlvdlndqhulfwtzahtu-story.html
North Dakota
North Dakota Employers Struggling To Fill Jobs https://www.am1100theflag.com/news/regional-news/29560-north-dakota-employers-struggling-to-fill-jobs
North Dakota employers are having a hard time filling jobs https://www.kfyrtv.com/2021/04/19/north-dakota-employers-are-having-a-hard-time-filling-jobs/
Ohio
Toledo: Businesses are struggling to find employees to fill open jobs Companies say it’s difficult to find applicants for positions https://www.13abc.com/2021/04/15/businesses-are-struggling-to-find-employees-to-fill-open-jobs/
Belmont County: Where are the workers? Local businesses struggling to fill jobs https://wtov9.com/news/local/where-are-the-workers-local-businesses-struggling-to-fill-jobs
Companies struggle to hire employees https://www.toledoblade.com/business/development/2021/04/11/Companies-struggle-to-hire-employees/stories/20210409137
COVID-19 in Ohio: Restaurants have trouble hiring as former service industry workers move on https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2021/04/15/columbus-restaurant-jobs-going-unfilled-ranks-unemployed-stay-full/7206536002/
Oklahoma
Metro Restaurants Struggling To Fill Open Positions https://www.news9.com/story/607a0271c16fa60bc9c688da/metro-restaurants-struggling-to-fill-open-positions-
Oregon
Restaurants starve for workers as job postings get little attention Bend business owners struggle to find workers as new jobs proliferate and unemployment money still flows https://www.bendbulletin.com/business/restaurants-starve-for-workers-as-job-postings-get-little-attention/article_171c21b8-90d9-11eb-b77a-4f8ff6390caa.html
Pennsylvania
Help Wanted: Central Pa. restaurants and bars desperate to fill positions https://www.pennlive.com/business/2021/03/help-wanted-central-pa-restaurants-and-bars-desperate-to-fill-positions.html
Scranton: Labor shortage challenging area businesses https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/labor-shortage-challenging-area-businesses/article_7a94bb09-ef46-55a1-b7e9-511934f5f254.html
Rhode Island
Restaurants struggle to fill open positions as people choose to collect unemployment instead https://www.abc6.com/restaurants-struggle-to-fill-open-positions-as-people-choose-to-collect-unemployment-instead/
South Carolina
Companies in region struggle to find workers in an environment favoring job seekers https://fortwaynesnbc.com/2021/04/06/companies-in-region-struggle-to-find-workers-in-an-environment-favoring-job-seekers/
Struggle to find employees: https://www.wistv.com/2021/04/06/sc-business-owners-struggle-find-employees-thousands-file-unemployment/
Local small businesses struggling to find workers According to the Department of Employment and Workforce, there are 85,000 job openings in the state. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/sc-businesses-struggling-to-find-workers/101-0d8c1c19-6b68-4126-a6e9-65d729f7b678
South Dakota
I think this is only non-service post: City struggling to fill seasonal jobs, including lifeguards https://www.aberdeennews.com/news/business/city-struggling-to-fill-seasonal-jobs-including-lifeguards/article_b9876b48-987b-11eb-b5c7-17762aa2236b.html
Texas
Houston: Summer jobs are out there, but employers are struggling to fill them https://abc13.com/summer-jobs-houston-in-texas-hiring/10446069/
Houston restaurants struggle to fill open jobs https://abc13.com/worker-shortage-restaurant-jobs-employment-careers/10512239/
Bryan / Brazos Valley: Local restaurants are looking to hire but says employees are hard to come by As Texas reopens, restaurants say they’re having trouble filling jobs https://www.kbtx.com/2021/03/24/local-restaurants-are-looking-to-hire-but-says-employees-are-hard-to-come-by/
El Paso business owners struggle to find employees to fill open positions https://kfoxtv.com/news/coronavirus/el-paso-business-owners-struggle-to-find-employees-to-fill-open-positions
West TX: West Texas restaurant owner is struggling to fill job openings Restaurants like Fuentes continue to struggle to find workers to fill the positions. https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/life/west-texas-restaurant-owner-is-struggling-to-fill-job-openings/504-39097fd5-53b4-48e5-9277-cb9c6fcea0a0
Utah
Some Utah employers struggling to find workers https://www.fox13now.com/rebound/hiring-during-coronavirus/some-utah-employers-struggling-to-find-workers
Vermont
Vermont businesses scour for willing workers https://www.wcax.com/2021/04/14/vermont-businesses-scour-for-willing-workers/
Virginia
As restaurants across Richmond reopen, a new crisis is emerging: staffing. Bad customers are part of the problem. https://richmond.com/entertainment/dining/as-restaurants-across-richmond-reopen-a-new-crisis-is-emerging-staffing-bad-customers-are-part/article_56d5d592-654c-5408-9a70-0f7a5e4610f9.html
(Also NC) Hampton Roads employers struggling to find workers offer hiring incentives https://www.pilotonline.com/business/vp-ib-employers-hiring-20210413-lnoeazwqlvdlndqhulfwtzahtu-story.html
Washington
Seattle Businesses scramble for help as job openings go unfilled https://www.seattletimes.com/business/businesses-scramble-for-help-as-would-be-workers-stay-home/
Washington DC
D.C. Restaurants Had a Staffing Problem Before the Pandemic. Now It’s a Crisis. Restaurants are hiring in droves. Thousands of hospitality workers are struggling with D.C.’s unemployment system. What gives? https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/514156/d-c-restaurants-are-having-a-staffing-crisis/
DC bar extremely flexible w/ schedules: People are vaccinated and ready to dine out — but restaurants say they can’t find workers A Florida McDonald’s is actually paying potential employees to come in and interview. https://www.today.com/food/restaurants-face-labor-shortage-people-are-ready-dine-out-t215852
West Virginia
Nationwide restaurant worker shortage hits West Virginia https://wchstv.com/news/local/nationwide-restaurant-worker-shortage-hits-west-virginia
Wisconsin
“Since last March, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites have filed for unemployment and, yet, many employers are still struggling to fill the positions necessary to grow and expand their operations,” Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/press/210323-career-center.htm
Wyoming (this state had little, but surprising b/c Jackson)
Scrambling for workers in the oil fields: https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/lead/oil-and-gas-resources-1/fedgazette-newsletter
cheating, this was before the pandemic: Ski areas across the country are struggling to find seasonal workers, starting to up the ante In the current tight labor market, ski areas are having a tough time filling jobs https://theknow.denverpost.com/2019/10/29/ski-area-jobs-wages/227448/
Australia
Employers struggling to fill job vacancies despite latest surge: ABS https://www.uowtv.com/2021/04/07/employers-struggling-to-fill-job-vacancies-despite-latest-surge/
Job ads have hit a record high, but businesses are struggling to fill vacancies https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/human-resources/job-ads-hit-record-high-but-businesses-struggle-to-fill-vacancies/