Michigan businesses desperate for workers

It’s a hard time to be a small business owner. The pandemic has driven down buying at most public-facing businesses, such as retail and restaurants. Even now, as more people are venturing out to shop and dine, coronavirus impacts are being felt.

The latest problem plaguing businesses is an inability to find adequate staff.

The problem is being experienced nationwide. A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association found that 90% of restaurant owners were finding it hard to keep their dining rooms staffed.

There a myriad possible reasons for the staffing shortage. Workers may be loathe to take a customer service job amid the pandemic. Those employees left face the daunting struggle of coping with more work and more stress, leading them to abandon their chosen industries altogether.

And, then of course, there’s unemployment benefits, which allow potential workers to instead stay home to care for families or pursue other projects.

Business owners have had to make tough decisions to cope with the staffing drought. Many have cut business hours and services. Some large chain stores, such as McDonald’s, have resorted to offering $50 incentives for anyone who attends a job interview.

The struggle will abate. It may be aided once Michigan reinstates the requirement that unemployment recipients look for work. That is scheduled to happen at the end of May.

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