A curious thing is happening with the national media: The hearings on the January 6 Capitol insurrection are being downplayed. There is better coverage of the Tokyo Olympics than there is of the investigation into the biggest threat to democracy in the United States since the Civil War.
The House select committee's first hearing on Tuesday was an emotional one as four of the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day gave first-hand accounts of the assault and the lingering physical and emotional trauma they endured. Even Fox News’ Bret Baier was moved by what he saw: “While Republicans politically are saying that this is a partisan effort and that they charge that it’s not going to get to the questions that they think are important about Jan. 6 — Why were the Capitol Police so ill-prepared for what happened that day? — you cannot watch this testimony and say that it’s not a big deal,” Baier said.
Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois called out his fellow Republicans for denying the seriousness of the attack. “I’m a Republican. I’m a conservative. But in order to heal from the damage caused that day, we need to call out the facts.”
Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming said, “Like most Americans, I’m frustrated that six months after a deadly insurrection breached the United States Capitol for several hours on live television, we still don’t know exactly what happened. Why? Because many in my party have treated this as just another partisan fight. It’s toxic and it’s a disservice to the officers and their families, to the staff and the employees in the Capitol complex, to the American people who deserve the truth, and to those generations before us who went to war to defend self-governance.”
Why Are So Many Jobs Going Unfilled?
We have previously reported on the labor shortage and the reasons people are not filling the available jobs. A Facebook discussion helps to bring it into perspective: It is not because people are making more on unemployment than they would make working (although that was true for some people while the federal subsidies were available). It is more likely because people have come to the conclusion that balancing life and work is important.
The comments are quite lengthy, but give a good indication of why people are not jumping into jobs. These comments are gleaned from the exchange, with names removed to preserve privacy:
I think a lot of women left the workforce because of needing to homeschool and lack of daycare. With uncertain times involving schools, they aren't going back yet
A lot of these jobs are low paying too. Amazing that women make up a good portion of low wage jobs in 2021.
it shows how little progress in certain areas has been made.
I understand that the response for years as to why women are paid less in many positions is that they aren't the "breadwinner" in the household and their job is a supplemental one. Perhaps decades ago that was true, but it's certainly not true in many, many cases in the 21st century.
maybe not, but employers act as if it is. Women still make 78 cents on average for every dollar a man makes.
The city moved to the country, they still work “remotely” in the city. Also a lot of people died…
Working in customer service has resulted in people being assaulted by customers, exposure to the virus and not livable wages.
I have 3 adult children. Each one knows their value.All are college educated. All established in their jobs.Employers have not been paying a living wage for years .Minimum wage is $7.50/ hr and what it was in the 70s.We have no car at this time.I cant afford to work for $10.00/transportation costs more than I can make after taxes .Many have this problem.Employers wont guarantee hours.Unemployment ended after 28 weeks if workers are eligible at all.
Agreed. We have a Job Lot here and Dollar General both department stores and grocery stores.10 hrs, 15 hrs a week no guarantee, low wages after taxes it's a small check. No benefits until 35 hrs they never give anyone more than 15 hours a week, low pay.
People are concerned for their health and safety. Most know we are not yet in the clear.
We as a country had a million people die in the past year. That creates a vacuum that can't be filled fast enough. Couple that with low wages and you have the perfect storm of people reluctant to start work, or the inability to find those "irreplaceable employees"
I think it’s a mixture of people knowing their worth more than the minimum wage offered and the remote jobs available. This virus made people think very much outside the box so the jobs vacant are the less desirable jobs that don’t have enough benefits to outweigh their negative impacts.
I think the fact the unemployment rate is so low in NH has a lot to do with it, too...
I think it has something to do with the fact that the thousands and thousands of foreigners that were coming here on work visas are no longer allowed to come due to the virus
I believe you are right
that's a very valid point. You combine that with the thousands of women forced to leave the workforce and there is no longer enough workers
I know a lot of people, including myself, who got sick of working in shitty conditions & Covid taught us life is too short. Lots of new small businesses, innovation, & community support.
People have a new idea of what’s important to them after the COVID shut down. Families are making it a priority to have balance in their lives and not work themselves to death. Spending time together and taking time to smell the roses is number one.
Dentists here are having a hard time filling positions. I know a lot of older assistants and hygienists, myself included, who left because it wasn't worth the risk. Students in dental healthcare programs were unable to do or finish their clinical requirements. So there has been a delay in certifications.
Because it’s summer
600,000+ people died—probably put a pretty big dent in the workforce.
Why unfilled? We are rebounding
Good paying jobs with benefits are begging for applicants, yet no one is applying. I'm not sure how we as a country can rebound if this problem continues to exist across the board.
Immigration. I think a large part of our economy relies on cheap labor from immigrants and foreign students. Travel has been restricted so no one is able to come here and work for $7.25/hr
immigrants are generally not eligible to work (legally) unless they get married or come on work visas which are only available for highly skilled jobs. So with the exception of getting paid "under the table" that's really not true.
I think many ppl liked staying home and collecting unemployment. Many made more collecting then working. I also dont think a lot of ppl dont take pride in working.
yes... I'm sure there a some people like this. But I don't believe the VAST majority of people are just lazy prideless scoundrels. Don't kill yourself for a job that would replace you before your funeral.
I don’t think of them as lazy. If you can bring home more money on unemployment than you can working, how many people would work? Especially, if you’re living week to week barely making ends meet. Logically, it makes more sense to take unemployment because is “pays” more.
no one in NH is making more on unemployment than they were working
I agree with the observations shared. In addition.
- no affordable housing to encourage workforce candidates to stay in NH or move to this state.
- birth numbers have been dropping steadily with generations, so leads to a smaller younger workforce.
People are making more staying off work
this is just not true. The extra unemployment benefits ended months ago
not true- not anymore
all thay have to say is they were exposed again and it starts over...Beer companys are having a heck of a time getting their drivers back...short staffed everywhere...
this is California BTW dont know how it is anywhere else.
Naive question: isn't there an end to someone's qualification to receive unemployment?
Yup. All the Covid unemployment stuff ended in NH months ago. We have 2% unemployment. Anyone using that talking point is ill-informed.
Umemployment. Only lasts 28 weeks. Many bosses wont lay you off when they cut hrs.
PA just started making unemployment recipients look for work as of last week.. no looking, no unemployment
so after 28 weeks, what do those unemployed people do for income to pay their bills?
They don't all need unemployment.
they need to find some kind of work.
work a low paying job and risk not being able to pay their bills.Get two jobs because one wont pay the bills.Very rarely do employers ask you back when they've laid you off.My daughter has 3 jobs as a Simmons college Double degreed graduate.
with covid pa did the normal 28 weeks and then you could file for a 13 week extension.
All pt jobs and some seasonal and transitional jobs as well as being a professional vocalist, musician, composer, accountant, real estate agent ,radio Commentator, Marketing, Business administrator,Marketing for her Band.
My son has 2 jobs and has worked remotely thru pandemic.
I get really tired of the statement, People dont want to work, people dont want to work and want to live off unemployment. It's a short income ,unemployment. It's not a yearly in come stream.
yes unemployment ends. It only last 28 weeks and also has a cap on the amount you can receive in a calendar year.
I'm not sure who you're thinking of who don't need to have some sort of income to pay their bills when they've lost their job. Retirees and people who have some degree of wealth aren't the ones who would be expected to want to apply for jobs as a source of income. That's basically the issue here: why are so many even decent paying jobs with good benefits going begging for people to apply for and fill the jobs?
Skilled workers in computer programming are the only jobs with benefits if they offer them at all.Employers arent offering the opportunities they used to.Employers offer bare minimum pay and hours and benefits now.
I have a friend whose son has a custom woodworking shop and has been looking to hire 4 or 5 people for months. He offers higher than average pay and full benefits, yet there have been no takers. Technology industry does seem to pay well and offer benefits but they're not the only ones.
Hes a gem and kind, realistic employer then.They are very rare.Skilled workers are also rare.My sons a professional in the Computer World. He told me there would be a worker shortage before the pandemic. Now with millions of pandemic deaths from covid 19 as will as the skilled worker shortage, you can see why theres a worker shortage. I could work today in healthcare, hha,pac, companions worker with disabled ,elderly or nanny if I could afford a car.The hourly pay rates for my work is still only $10.00, $12.00/ hrly.They offer zero help with transportation ,no benefits or guaranteed schedule of minimum hrs so workers have no guaranteed wages which we all need to pay our bills.
My point is some people who were working maybe didn't need to , to get by.
It is a combination of things.
First, we lost over half-a-million people beyond the normal death rate, so that's part of it.
Second, folks who get paid the least are often the ones who have to be in public, so they felt the risk more keenly when the pandemic started, and several probably decided enough was enough. People upset at you for not carrying their favorite brand of salad dressing is one thing, having them yell at you for wearing a mask is something else.
Third, it is becoming clear that $15 an hour isn't unreasonable as a wage; in fact, it should probably be closer to $20 an hour. Folks making a $10 wage probably decided that could do better; it seems that places offering that are seeing plenty of applicants.
Fourth, I know of one, maybe two, instances where physicians who had retired, but came out of retirement to help with the pandemic, decided to go back into retirement because they were dealing with many angry people in denial about their disease. I suspect a lot of retired folks who used to have low-paying jobs as a way to augment their retirement income decided it just wasn't worth it anymore.
I do _not_ think it is because of higher jobless benefits. The folks who saw value in that were already the working poor, and it isn't like those extra dollars went to buy extra toilet paper; it was more likely to go to rent and groceries without sacrificing other things.
A current example: In NH there's a shortage of school bus drivers, even with incentive $. It's been this way for a couple of years, but this year when so many school aged kids want to return to school - and possible limits on the numbers of students who can ride a bus at one time, requiring more routes or double runs - so it's even more pressing an issue. It does take a special license, but I understand some bus companies are offering to pay for the training. Still, there's a shortage.
I would think that might have something to do with the hours also.
my brother in law drives a school bus (he's of retirement age but needs something to do to keep him busy and enjoys driving) and it's like working a split shift: you get up early to do your first run, have the middle of the day free to do what you want/need/like, and then you make your second run. Some folks prefer that kind of schedule for 180 days a year.
oh I'm sure they do an I'm sure lots with kids don't want that schedule. I for one would hate that job. Some people are cut out for certain jobs, no matter the pay
very true. I do recall some bus drivers in our school district whose kid rode the bus with them to school in the morning and they picked up their own children from school and carried them home on the bus with them in the afternoon. Some of the kids did homework on the bus and a few even got help from other riders. Again, this is not the average situation...not for everyone.
a school bus is a petrie dish. Who would want to expose themselves to that daily
that is true in Concord where I run the buses - mothers can bring their children and they work and it saves in the daycare issue. We offer health dental and sick time if they commit to an AM and PM route. We pay trainees from the moment they come to work for us.
The state, & federal government have made getting, & keeping a CDL a lot harder than it needs to be. Every four years when I renew mine & every two years when I am forced to renew my health card. The thought crosses my mind to drop it.
I might use my CDL 6/8 times a year test driving a truck couple miles down the road, & back.
If I fail to renew my health card it's an automatic loss of CDL.
I have no issue with requiring a health card if you're driving a commercial vehicle every day or even on a regular weekly basis.
But to force someone that just wants to keep their CDL for later job opportunities, or that might drive 10 / 20 miles a year is idiotic.
Probably because those front line customer service jobs are dangerous as hell if you’re unvaccinated, or your clientele might be. If every time you take an order, or ring someone up, you roll the dice with your life, it’s probably a disincentive to go for customer service.
I know some people who got those jobs because they like interacting with people, but is it worth it if those people refuse to wear masks and might kill you?
I think the pandemic made everyone step back and reconsider what's important to them. As many have mentioned, a (NH) minimum wage job that isn't enough to support even a single person adequately is no longer a goal. Businesses, including farms and orchards, no longer have the access to cheap immigrant labor so they're in need of people/US residents to work for that same pay level, and, again, that's not going to cut it to live in this culture.
I don't understand about the lack of applicants for good paying jobs with great benefits. Is there a sudden lack of people who have the professional qualifications?
I think a lot of those positions were filled by women and visa workers. Visa workers filled a lot of skilled positions
Go up to the Mt Washington Omni Hotel and try to get a usual menu lunch. Not possible. The visa workers from Europe could not come this year, and the kitchens are short of chefs because they are collecting more from the government. This was told to us by a restaurant manager. This is happening all over the country, and this is why you find a plethora of “Help Wanted” signs.
the additional unemployment stopped a couple months ago. So basic unemployment is definitely less then a working wage. I know the visa workers couldn't come over. The basic unemployment rates are laughable. A huge portion of workers didn't make more. Some states unemployment max is around $250 a week.
No single answer to the question. Many people chose to take retirement early during the pandemic. There are a disappointing number that are on "disability" but really aren't, it's apparently easier to get now than it used to be. The growth rate of the country is not keeping up with the number retiring or dying and the restrictions on immigration caused by the pandemic has also reduced the work force.
I think there are plenty of people working, they are just working from home now making a lot more spending a lot less. I believe that a lot of people working those "low hanging fruit" jobs like fast food and retail and such had an opportunity to get better paying jobs working from home. I was working at a bank making 15 an hour, I found a job working from home paying 16 an hour while we were in lockdown. Why go back to working a job where people are more often than not rude, and as employee you are under appreciated.
Yes there is.. if your employer calls you back to work and you refuse.. unemployment ends.. period. This myth is annoying and an insult to the American work force.. so many reasons for people not to return to the work force. We are blessed with a full staff (until August) that are enthusiastic and hard working!
It's crazy here too! Help wanted signs everywhere! And our governor stopped the extra unemployment payments. (A class-action lawsuit on this was filed today against him.) Covid has really thrown this country into a tailspin. Most of TN is not vaccinated (my whole family is, including Grandchildren) and I am now wearing my mask again! Service industry jobs are plentiful, but no one wants them. I have been working from home for six years so it wasn't a big deal for me when our offices closed and went to at home working. It was great for workers with children and productivity was up, and they were no longer having to pay for childcare. Our county is Blue and the rest of the State Red. My Husband works in the restaurant industry and they can't get enough help. They were smart when the lockdown occurred by selling not only take-out but raw food too. Who in their right mind wants to have to put up with rude and nasty consumers these days. We have been out a few times since we got our vaccinations and yes, service is a bit slow but we plan on that and don't take it out on the few employees they do have. We have grown into such an entitled society it sucks! A bit more compassion on everyone's part would go a long way!
I am a working mom with small children and I would disagree that this was great for parents. Trying to work from home while also serving as your child’s daycare worker or teacher is not ideal.
I understand, ours just worked out well. My Grandchildren (9th and 10th grades) were home three days a week and at school two, both my Daughter and her Husband worked from home. Kids go back to school full time in a couple of weeks and my Daughter is so grateful. I wasn't trying to say it was good for all.
The extra money given to unemployed during this pandemic made it so that many people were receiving more money that they could earn working. Not many could/would pass that up.
yeah I wish. I got Laid off last Aug. And barely scraped by. Any time I could make 50-100 on a week as a freelance writer for my employer (best they could do under the circumstances) I lost my unemployment. Finally forced to take early retirement and now work 3 p/t jobs to keep up with my bills. Not the retirement I dreamed of for sure.
I know several people that worked in the restaurant industry and refuse to go back because of the horrible working conditions that many restaurants offer (low wages, no benefits, poor scheduling, high turnover, high drama, and frequently expected to come in early, stay late, or come in on your day off). I think many people used their time away from it to better themselves by learning something new or at least getting enough perspective to try to find something better.
Part of the reason is the government is paying people more to stay home than they can make working. I know this from first hand experience being an employer
There have been skilled workers shortages for years.Adequate pay is necessary for candidates to consider any jobs as well as a guaranteed schedule amount of hours to be able to make decent wages to be able to live.Housing is necessary as well so workers can afford the rents.Not everyone can afford to buy a home.
A lot of people just don't want to work.
Or they think they're worth top dollar.
Hired a kid earlier this week to weed whack around the shop, & down the side of the driveway.
Something I've done dozens of times, takes an hour hour, & a half.
Forty five minutes in I go out to check on him. He's not half done, & he's very carefully weed whacking all around the scrap metal pile.
Explain to him it doesn't matter around the scrap pile. Apologize for not being more clear. He comes inside a half hour later, says he's done.
Hadn't even touched the side of the driveway. Claimed it was very hot. Handed him a water, said when you've rested / cooled off take care of that, & cut down all the saplings growing up in front of the sign.
Comes back in an hour, says he's done. I go look, only cut down the saplings 2' / 3' in front of the sign.
No drive, ambition, or work ethic is a big part of this problem.
No problem solving, or self thought process either.
I ended up cutting the saplings, & had him pile them in the front bucket of the backhoe.
Even though I piled the first dozen pieces. I still had to show him how to pile it in the bucket!
This is from what I've been told by his mother a pretty intelligent kid.
People have more options than ever before, and they don't have to settle for low wage jobs. That hits labor intensive industries especially hard. Restaurants operate on incredibly small profit margins, so any increase in wages has to be passed on to the consumer right away. It's a fine line of how much we can increase wages without losing business because of the higher prices.
Alot of folks collecting money from unemployment decided not to go back to work..... just an observation
If that's the case, how do they pay their bills?
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