Around the country, and in many sectors, we hear about or witness firsthand the problem of labor shortage. I see signs hanging in windows and on doors of various retail shops, grocery stores and restaurants saying “Now hiring.” There are times when I am waiting in line to purchase something or sitting at a table in a restaurant and it seems like a lifetime before it is my turn or a server comes to bring me a menu. I always have to remind myself that these establishments are short-staffed and I need to be patient.
With the challenge of finding competent employees, also comes the task of retaining the ones you have. Recently, I have sat in on two industry-led discussions where this was one of the main topics. While there isn’t a concrete solution, one point that has been brought up several times and makes a great deal of sense is to create an environment where your employees feel involved and appreciated – a culture where they will thrive and want to stay. A place where everyone treats each other with respect.