Small businesses, big concern: Finding workers
After the pandemic, small businesses are planning a mix of tactics to lure back workers.
The shortage of qualified workers is a big concern to small business owners as they try to return to normal following the pandemic.
Most small businesses have not yet begun to recruit, interview or hire new talent this year, according to a poll by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife. Just one in three small businesses reported that they are actively seeking, recruiting or interviewing new workers.
Fewer than half of small businesses that are actively hiring said it is easy to find candidates who meet certain criteria, such as:
- Finding candidates in their area (47 percent);
- With the experience they need (44 percent), and
- The skills they need (44 percent).
“Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the current worker shortage,” said Tom Sullivan, vice president of small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“Many have given up on actively recruiting new workers, as it’s too hard to find skilled and experienced workers for their open positions, To enable small businesses to grow, compete and thrive coming out of the pandemic, we need our government leaders to make it as easy as possible for Main Street to find and hire the talent they need.”
The worker shortage and lack of active recruitment are affecting small-business workflow. Of those actively hiring and reporting at least some difficulty finding new workers, the most common response (54 percent) was that the business owner personally had to work more hours or take on more roles.
Forty-two percent of those reporting difficulty had to ask staff to work overtime or longer hours, and 31 percent reported difficulty with scheduling because they did not have enough staff.
After the pandemic, small businesses are planning a mix of tactics to lure back workers, including increased pay and new benefits. About one-quarter each plan to find new ways to advertise (26 percent) or increase pay (24 percent).
Also, 22 percent of small businesses plan to offer more-flexible working hours, and 21 percent plan to offer a hybrid or remote work environment.
The majority of owners (55 percent) believe the U.S. small-business climate will return to normal in six months to a year. Only 27 percent believe the climate will return to normal in less time.
However, the desire to open is there, with around three in five small businesses (59 percent) saying it is likely they will fully open as soon as their state allows it.
READ MORE: