How to find and keep happy workers

submited by

Style Pass

2021-06-22 18:00:11

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols , Computerworld |

There are now more job openings in the US than in the last 20 years. At the same time, millions of Americans are looking for jobs, and the unemployment rate stands at 5.8%. That's better than it was during the pandemic's darkest times, but it's not great. Many businesses are cutting back their open hours.

If you listen to some people (mainly on the political right), it's all because the government has made things too cushy with generous unemployment benefits for workers without a job. US Chamber of Commerce Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley recently said the action "policymakers should take now is ending the $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit." Many states have cut those benefits. But—surprise!—workers are not streaming back to the workplace, even in those states.

One factor is that unemployment benefits are notoriously difficult to get. If you navigated an often Byzantine system and finally got benefits after months of trying, would you be eager to rejoin the workforce? I think not.