OPEN LETTERS
An Open Letter to Those Discussing the “Worker Shortage”
I am doubtful the situation is as black and white as it seems
Dear Misinformed Individuals,
I’ve heard you in both various places online and in-person. The way your ranting starts is never any less annoying. You’re standing in the middle of the coffee shop, angry that your quad-shot, extra foam, non-fat latte with precisely two sugars is taking approximately 15 seconds longer than usual.
Suddenly you blurt out, “WELL IF PEOPLE WOULD QUIT RELYING ON THE GOVERNMENT AND GET BACK TO WORK, WE WOULDN’T HAVE A WORKER SHORTAGE. NO ONE WANTS TO WORK ANYMORE!” While simultaneously looking around the room for a nod of sympathy from anyone.
Here’s why you won’t get that nod from me. See, I have this theory that there isn’t so much a worker shortage as there is a hiring shortage. I’m sure that there are undoubtedly industries struggling to find qualified employees after our country lost over 600,000 individuals to Covid-19 in the last year and a half. I am also almost positive that this worker shortage is being incredibly exaggerated.
Why am I so sure of this, and how did I come to this conclusion? Two reasons. The first being that this pseudo-general strike that’s caused employers to raise their advertised wages to draw in new applicants requires these employers to actually pay these wages if they hire people.
That leads me to my second reason, the no-fault game. It’s no secret that there is a great financial benefit for companies to maintain a skeleton crew. It’s my true belief that many (read: many — not all, before you come for my throat, Mister Business Owner) companies are not only not hiring at these higher wages, but they are also purposely advertising higher wages and then not hiring many people so they can throw their hands up and repeat the bullshit line about no one wanting to work anymore.
By doing this, these companies then shift the blame onto those who dared to receive financial assistance during a worldwide pandemic. They don’t have to cut into their precious profits any more than necessary, and they can actually increase said profits by running crews with fewer employees. All while having a seemingly valid excuse to hide behind poor service, slow production times, and increased prices while running their all-too-replaceable employees into the ground.
While I am sure some would rather stay at home and receive unemployment because it’s the first time they’ve had the opportunity for financial stability thanks to corporate greed and our stagnant federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, I am doubtful it’s the majority of the problem.
I can tell you personally that I have a pretty decent resume and I’ve applied to 10+ jobs per day for the last month. I have heard back from one, which was a part-time job making $10 an hour for very physically demanding work. That’s not a family-sustaining wage anywhere in the US.
But really, what do I know? I’m not an economist or a labor expert. I have no credibility to speak on this subject aside from being lumped in with those who must not want to work for the sole reason that I haven’t yet found new employment.
This is just my critical point of view as an average citizen who is tired of every unfortunate situation being turned into a polarizing, country-dividing topic. When we all fight and argue with each other based on something that the majority of us really don’t know the truth about, everyone loses. All I’m asking is that we are kind to one another regardless of circumstance.
Until next time,
Suspiciously Still Unemployed Despite Applying For Many Jobs During A “Worker Shortage”
