Employers and customers, we feel your pain
Andrea Fulks
“You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job and not be paid for it!” — Oprah Winfrey
HELP WANTED! NOW HIRING! SIGN-ON BONUS!
Lately, these are signs we have been seeing everywhere we turn. From the local restaurants, coffee shops, banks and credit unions to the larger industrial businesses and big box stores, Hayden businesses as well as the surrounding area of Kootenai County and North Idaho are hiring. The unexpected consequence of so many available positions could leave our local businesses damaged long after all their positions have been filled.
I have had many emails and phone calls recently asking me to post to our social media and newsletter about openings they have and just can’t seem to fill. Some of these businesses were forced to close or reduce hours during the pandemic.
As these businesses reopened, they are looking to rehire staff but with the effects of the federal stimulus act, some of these workers made the decision not to return to the workforce.
Some potential hires are still scared to return to a position that works with the public. They may have lost someone close or have personal health concerns. A year ago, there were community members who were part of our workforce that now, for a variety of reasons, are no longer seeking employment.
What does this employment crisis mean for all of us? First, if you have not already noticed, many businesses are having to reduce hours, days and production. The supply to demand is not as speedy as it used to be and some places not even happening at all. This is starting to lead to larger and longer-term problems and cause many local businesses into a downward spiral. This leads to customers being frustrated as well. I have been one of these customers on many occasions.
One thing we can all do is give grace, support and understanding to the locals trying to make it work. Smiling at those serving us, knowing they are doing more than they were before.
Those front-line folks are not responsible for the bump in the road caused by a staff shortage, and if it were up to them, those issues would not be there. They are working hard to cover all the bases.
Give a bit of understanding to local businesses as they figure out how to serve customers given the staff shortage. Hold off on the judgment and instead see this as a temporary reset issue.
Look for the good and share the great. All too often, we are quick to point out the challenges and slow to report the good. Report the good to friends, neighbors and, by all means, share the good on the review sites. This problem will find a solution. Unemployment will end, and the people will go back. Our workforce will again find its way into filling open positions. In the meantime, give our local guys a break.
As we move past the halfway point in the year, now is the time every business owner and every employee should be looking at the goals they set for the year to ensure they are still on the right track. The pandemic taught us that our best-laid strategies do not always go the way we plan. For those of you hitting the mark, keep up the great work, and keep striving to run past those targets.
For those of you falling a little short, there is plenty of time to place yourself back on track for success. Use this month to reevaluate your goals and if they are still applicable, given the current market condition. If not, set new goals to ensure success, but if you are falling short due to a lack of staff or organization, it is time to reprioritize and dedicate yourself to achieving your goals. It is too easy to find excuses over the next few months that will only leave you further behind.
The Hayden Chamber has been busy the last few months from new members and ribbon cuttings to Chamber After Hours, groundbreakings and fabulous networking breakfast speakers. Chamber After Hours, hosted by Photography by Luba with a ribbon cutting, was at her beautiful studio. Ribbon cuttings also consisted of our new members, Tubbs Coffee Roasters, Shirley Hander Tomlinson Sotheby’s, Seven Nine Media, Kootenai Title Company, Kootenai County Young Professionals and the Lions Club.
Our groundbreaking event was for Open Arms, a pregnancy center, that is building their new facility across the street from the Hayden Chamber on the corner of Wayne Drive and Prairie Avenue.
Our speaker during our June breakfast was Jennifer Smock with Windermere/Coeur d’Alene Realty Inc. with a presentation on what is and has been happening in the real estate world for our area.
Save the Date for our Connecting Community & Business Expo Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Contact the Hayden Chamber for further details at info@haydenchamber.org.
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one!” — Oscar Wilde
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Andrea Fulks is the executive director for the Hayden Chamber of Commerce.
