Casting the Net: Finding Employees in a Post-Pandemic World

“Our challenge is not to get businesses back open; we’ve done that. It’s been getting employees back to work.”

Does this dilemma as expressed recently by Governor Kevin Stitt sound familiar? 

If so, you’re probably among the thousands of businesses in Oklahoma facing the unique and frustrating challenge of finding new employees and getting back to full staffing. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 may be past us, but the effects of it still linger in the business world, and we’re seeing it right now with employers struggling to find people who want to work.

Understand What’s Driving the Thin Applicants Pool

Take a drive along one of the popular retail areas of town, and you’ll likely see storefronts that once housed thriving shops or restaurants. Only now, they’ve shut the doors for good. After months of lean times, customers are finally coming back for service—but there’s no one to serve them.

One of the biggest challenges for businesses of any size, especially small to medium-sized ones, is that without an adequate staff, the business can struggle simply to stay afloat. But I believe it’s possible for companies to position themselves for hiring success by creatively offering incentives that address workers’ current concerns.

This starts with pinpointing the main issues keeping people from applying for a new job right now. While the situation is certainly complex, there are several common reasons that it’s not as easy to find great employees. Companies that want to make new hires right now need to be strategic in addressing these issues.

Lack of Child Care

            The economy may be opening back up, but it’s not the same for schools and day cares, many of which are still operating on a limited basis. Some are open, some closed, some mixing virtual learning with in-person sessions—all in a constant flux. The unpredictability of these routines makes it hard for parents to set consistent work schedules, even if they can work from home.

The situation is even harder for parents who don’t have the option to work remotely. These employees can’t realistically rejoin the workforce until this need is met. And with children under 12 ineligible for vaccines right now, this issue doesn’t show signs of resolving for quite a while.

Health Concerns

            Like it or not, COVID-19 can pose serious health challenges, and many people remain understandably concerned about the safety of going back to work. After all, many open jobs are for those who work in shops, restaurants, factories and other settings where exposure to many people is simply a requirement of the job.

The current vaccination rates across the US are only at around 52% right now, which means many customers and coworkers will be in the as-yet unvaccinated category. For many people, especially those with other health issues or with family members at higher risk of COVID-19 complications, going back to work isn’t feasible yet.

Front-Line Worker Hassles

            Anyone who has to balance mask ordinances, six-feet safety distances, and the varying needs and concerns of customers and staff knows that front-line workers have borne the brunt of pandemic hassles. While others had the luxury of staying safely at home, front-line workers didn’t, and the stress has taken its toll on many.

            Faced with the choice of taking on a job at a healthcare facility, restaurant, grocery store, or machine shop, many available workers don’t want to put themselves in those types of jobs anymore, which makes hiring for those positions that much harder.

Tighter Competition

Right now, as the economy ramps up after the major shut-downs of last year, companies across all sectors and industries are hiring. Much like a real estate buyers’ market, prospective workers have the upper hand.

Companies are facing more competition for staff, and that means those who are searching for jobs can be choosier about where they work. If something about your job description, application process or wage offer isn’t appealing, they can easily go elsewhere.

Less Mobility

            In the past, finding a new job often meant making a move to a new town, city, or state. But with today’s tight housing market, many homeowners want to remain where they are, rather than risking that they won’t be able to buy a new home elsewhere. Or, by the time they can secure a new home, the job they really want is no longer available.

            In addition, the lack of consistency in mask regulations and other health-related differences between states may make some workers less willing to move for a new job right now.

Demand for Higher Wages 

Until very recently, pandemic unemployment benefits have often provided a better monthly income for many workers than the jobs they once held. Combined with other issues such as lack of child care and worries about COVID-19, it was easier for many to simply stay unemployed. For those who were offered generous severance packages, the temptation to stay at home is even more appealing—as they may still be able to comfortably afford it.

Now, as states like Oklahoma opt out of pandemic-specific federal unemployment programs, many people are faced with finding new ways to bring in money. Yet the clamor for a higher minimum wage and sign-on bonuses being offered by several companies has muddied the waters. Some people who might otherwise seek a position are instead taking a wait-and-see approach before they get more active about their job search.

Preference for More Flexible Work Options

            Before 2020, employers found it easy to insist that their staff be on-site and in the office every day. But over the past 12 months, it has become clear to workers that many companies can make working from home available to its staff.

            As a result, those searching for work are more selective than ever about where they are willing to work. They desire to retain the flexibility they gained from stay-at-home orders, and many are no longer interested in returning to employers that insist their staff members must work on-site.

Set Your Business Apart by Offering Solutions

            To help your business attract the right employees in today’s post-pandemic economy, it’s essential to offer the right combination of benefits and flexibility to ensure a strong, diverse workforce. Here are some suggestions:

• Consider ways to offer employees needed flexibility, such as partial or full remote work opportunities, improved flex time arrangements, options to work 10-hour days for four days a week, rather than 8 hours for five days, and even unlimited PTO.
• Look for ways to help working parents, such as providing additional PTO while school is in session, offering on-site child care, or making available transportation for parents to and from daycare centers and the office.
• Offer sign-on bonuses when feasible to sweeten the deal for prospective employees. These bonuses can cover the cost of summer camps or daycare, helping parents get back to work. Or, offer retention bonuses and other incentives; such as referral bonuses, to not only attract but also retain employees.
• Stay on top of federal, state and local support for businesses. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt recently announced a $1,200 incentive for anyone currently unemployed who becomes a full-time employee and retains their position for six weeks.
• Institute added safety precautions against COVID-19 and other illnesses by sponsoring vaccinations on-site, offering incentives for vaccinations, and providing more paid time off for sick leave. If you decide to require vaccinations, be prepared to allow for accommodations requests, and other legal complexities that you’ll need to navigate.
• Be transparent and upfront about what available positions require. Ensure a robust hiring and pre-screening process on the front end. This helps attract people who are the right fit, and weeds out those who aren’t—saving you time in the long run.

Let Who’s Your HR’s Expert Recruiters Ease the Burden of Hiring 

            With the job market undergoing rapid changes and businesses facing the challenges of understaffing, the task of recruitment may feel like a burden right now—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

            At Who’s Your HR?, our recruiters are well versed in helping businesses find and hire top employees—even in times like this. From writing strong job descriptions and managing job board postings to interviewing and onboarding staff, we make it easy for you to gain new employees. 

Reach out to us for a consultation to get started.