For business owners fortunate enough to keep their doors open throughout the pandemic, the fifth surge brings a fresh slate of concerns.
Businesses in the Southland have been forced to shut their doors once again, but not due to mandatory lockdowns like last time. This time around, many are opting to close their doors temporarily as employees continue to call out of shifts at an alarming rate. On top of the recent surge, businesses everywhere are already scrambling to find a full staff as it stands. Spurred by “The Great Resignation,” a term referencing the mass trend of employees leaving their jobs in 2021 in search of higher wages and better careers, “Help Wanted” and “Now Hiring” signs have hung in windows for months now.
Avedian continued to report that while in the past, applications were numbered in the hundreds, the company is now having a hard time finding applicants for any of their open positions. “We’ve previously had 50 to 100 applicants applying, now we’re down to a good 15 to 20.”