With labor shortages, N.B. hotels and restaurants attempting to recover from COVID have been forced to reduce hours.

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Kirti Pathak
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N.B. hotels

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Rick Jackson has worked at the Gables Restaurant in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, for 26 years, and this is the first year the firm hasn't received a single job application. Gables have tried putting up Help Wanted signs, newspaper ads, and internet job postings, according to Jackson. Nothing has worked thus far.

This summer, the restaurant, which regularly employs 30 to 35 people, has been operating with only 17 people. Gables initially closed on Tuesdays to accommodate the shortfall.

Jackson explained, "I was there 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week. I couldn't take it any longer." The restaurant is now only open two days a week.

Restaurants in other parts of Canada and the United States are reporting similar employment issues now that COVID-related limitations have been relaxed.

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A recent survey in the United States asked former hospitality workers looking for work if they would return to their previous professions, and more than half said no, even if they were offered a wage raise or other benefits.

More than half of job applicants indicated they didn't want to work in a hotel because they wanted to work somewhere else. Moreover, a third of respondents believed the remuneration was insufficient. Only 9% said they were hesitant because of the COVID-19 danger.

Many others blamed the shortage of workers on pandemic-related assistance, such as the expanded availability of unemployment insurance. Because of temporary adjustments to EI, more Canadians are now eligible to earn $500 each week for up to 50 weeks. The modifications will remain in effect until September.

"I think it was fantastic when things initially started and no one was hiring," Jackson added. "But now that are begging for workers, individuals are still responding, 'Oh, I'm getting paid."

Housing is an additional hurdle for towns like Saint Andrews when it comes to recruiting workers.

Mayor Brad Henderson says the personnel issue in Saint Andrews has been exacerbated by a lack of suitable rental units, according to an interview with Information Morning Saint John.

 

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