Staffing in our Current Times
August 1, 2021
Are you finding it to be a big challenge to retain your staff? With the way the economy has changed in the last eighteen months, it has become harder and harder to recruit and retain the desired staff.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Parking Authority is facing these challenges daily. We have recently provided $2.00 and $3.00 raises to our staff, with no ties to their length of employment, to insure they continue their service with us. We have posted ads and recruited from many different areas with limited success.
Most of the businesses in Chattanooga have help wanted signs out. It seems like everywhere you turn there are signs that are offering $14.00 to $18.00 starting pay for front line workers. Businesses have even adopted sign on bonuses just to get folks to work for them.
Prospective employees that we have spoken to or interviewed have fallen into a few categories:
· Overqualified for the job being applied to;
· Seeking verification of job search for continued unemployment benefits;
· Underqualified based on basic front-line standards;
· Failing drug test or background check standards;
· Or just a no-show to the interview.
We have never had this hard of time finding employees and hiring for open positions. As of now we are short one person in the office, three on street enforcement staff, and two off street enforcement staff.
I am beginning to think this may be the new normal for us going forward. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments if your candidates fall into one of the five (5) listed categories above or if there are other areas that you struggle to hire qualified employees.
