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Are more people returning to work after federal unemployment stimulus ended?

Many employers say the extra unemployment money was making it difficult for them to find employees. So now that the federal money is gone - are people once again looking for work?

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By
Gilbert Baez
, WRAL Fayetteville reporter
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The federal government's unemployment stimulus check program ended September 6. Many employers say the program was making it difficult for them to find employees.

So now that the federal money is gone – are people once again looking for work?

WRAL News posed the question to the owner of an iconic restaurant in Fayetteville.

On a typical busy night, Luigi's could seat around 175 people. But because of social distancing and a lack of employees, they just can't manage such a large crowd.

Co-owner Nick Parrous says his biggest hurdle has been trying to compete with unemployment stimulus checks that he feels have kept folks out of the job market.

"We were getting some applicants before, but they weren't coming in to follow through," he said.

Some of his long-time employees stuck with him, but he had to make some adjustments to stay afloat – like many other restaurants in the same position.

The lack of staff meant he had to limit his hours of operation, as well as close sections of the dining room and scale back lunch to take-out only.

However, since the employment stimulus program ended, he's starting to get people applying for jobs on his website and in person.

"It's helping us a great deal because it's given us an opportunity bring, first of all, highly-qualified candidates," he said. "The reality is that the more people that you have, the better staff you end up with."

Parrous says the pandemic forced many who used to work in the restaurant business to leave it completely. He's hoping higher wages and improved working conditions will bring them back.

Mask, social distancing and sanitizer requirements are still limiting operations at many businesses. But the owners at Luigi's hope the fact that new employees are coming on means brighter days ahead for their business.

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