It seems almost every business in the Quinte region and elsewhere is having trouble hiring staff, qualified or otherwise.
At a Quinte Small Business Week seminar Tuesday at the Trent Port Marina, Leanne Tremblett and Jennifer Johnson of Career Edge offered some advice to business owners and managers.
Employers present were asked if they themselves were having trouble attracting new employees. One woman said, “I had scheduled six interviews with people and only one actually showed up.”
It turns out that’s a common problem.
A man in the group said, “We’ve hired people and they don’t show up for their first day of work or walk out after one or two shifts.”
Tremblett said there were no easy answers to the problem as the unemployment rate in the area is fairly low, calling it a widespread labour shortage.
Below are some strategies to help attract and retain employees.
Today’s younger workers value flexibility and a good work-life balance. They are not likely interested in working almost all the time and personal time off is important to them.
Offer competitive wages and benefits as other businesses are looking for employees as well. You have to be competitive and owners and managers need to recognize employees for good effort on the job. If a business can afford bonuses for employees, offer them. Other perks like gym
memberships attract employees and build loyalty.
Advancement opportunities are important to prospective employees. Not many are interested in a “dead-end job.”
Concentrate on providing thorough on-the-job training to avoid people becoming quickly frustrated and leaving.
Tremblett and Johnson told the group that when advertising for jobs it is important to list only essential job duties. Employees tend to shy away from long, seemingly complex listings as they automatically believe they aren’t qualified.
Most jobs have a lot of tasks or skills that can be learned on the job quickly and experts say an employers wish list of qualifications should not be part of any job advertisement. Also important is the avoidance of industry jargon or academic wording. Listings should contain plain, everyday language.
Do make your wages and benefits known in the ad and realize that the minimum wage of $16.55 an hour will not attract prospective employees.
Also important to include in a listing is a short inclusive hiring statement. “Having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace is just good business these days and people like newcomers, the disabled, or those from the LGBTQ+ communities have a lot of to offer, and statistics show that people from marginalized parts of society are 72% more likely to become dedicated long term employees,” said Tremblett.
Also be sure to “sell” the business. Outline what makes it different, better, and more attractive than others in its sector.
And in a labour shortage, businesses should start seriously looking at older workers who are returning to the labour force out of retirement for various reasons. More of them are available and businesses would be wise to welcome them.
Career Edge is a non-profit organization funded by the government which offers services and benefits to both job-seekers and employers.
Learn more about Career Edge here.
