Labor Day with fewer laborers: Businesses continue scrambling to find workers

North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden said the end of $300 in weekly federal unemployment aid this weekend should help push more people back into the workforce. But he noted that there are more job openings in some industries, such as the restaurant and hospitality sector, than there are people looking for jobs with those businesses.

Finding staff is just the latest hurdle for Mellow Mushroom manager Steve Gardner, who already has overcome obstacles during the pandemic, from providing only takeout and delivery orders early on to navigating capacity limits for his Glenwood South restaurant.

"I go through the checklist, check the job listings every day. It’s something I never really had to do every day, but now it’s a daily thing," Gardner said. "There’s five restaurants in this little area, and they’re all hiring. So, if [people} are not coming in our door, are they going in their doors? Who knows? It doesn’t seem like they’re going in any doors."

He said he hopes the end to the federal boost to unemployment benefits will help bring more applicants in his door.

"I think that will definitely help, also the [end to the eviction] moratorium," he said. "It’s terrible, but at the same time, they've got to pay the rent, so they've got to get out there and work, and we’re here for you."

Walden said businesses like Mellow Mushroom must take different steps to either get more employees or survive without them.

"One would be to become more productive [and] get the same amount of work done with fewer people," he said. "Secondly is obvious – to raise wages so they’re able to attract more people, and thirdly is going to be to employ more technology and more automation."

Mellow Mushroom has been able to keep many employees by ensuring that they get two days off at a time, Gardner said, and the restaurant also is offering things like bonuses to current workers if they help bring a friend on to the staff.