The Coronavirus is changing our landscape so fast that the three articles I wrote within the last week are no longer applicable. Because of this, I’ve decided to just give some facts and opinions from my vantage point at TheJobLine.com.
- First, as of March 24th, we have not seen mass layoffs nationwide as it was with the Great Recession. Just the hard-hit areas or states with strict lockdowns are feeling that pain. We have the normal early spring volume of new candidates so far.
- I do feel a nervous energy coming from candidates who are not sure if their job is secure. We ask them to make sure that their candidate profile is current, just in case. My best advice if you feel vulnerable – ask yourself if you are being paid too much or too little, then answer if you are your employer. At a minimum, be worth the investment your employer is making, because everyone is tightening their belt and looking at ROI.
- Hiring has slowed some, but we are still getting new job orders and most employers have confirmed their searches as of March 24th. We have 50+ confirmed immediate hire positions for the right candidates.
- Nationwide, only 4 employers have either put their search on hold or delayed interviewing, and 3 of these are in Mega-Multifamily, which takes a different view of the longer term than most.
- We are processing a normal number of candidate and employer inquiries for this time of year.
The Coronavirus effect is like a Slinky with some areas of the country on lockdown while others see business as usual. One area sees mass infections now, but the infection curve will peak, and they will eventually see a recovery. At the same time, areas that are basically unaffected now will eventually get hit. Hopefully the efforts being made now will flatten the curve and the effect on our healthcare system and economy.
When the time comes, getting back up and running will take some creative thinking. Not only are people dealing with being locked down, sick, or caring for someone who is sick, there is still the problem with schools being closed. Regardless of treatments or sustainable downturn in virus infections near-term, schools are planning to remain closed until after the school year ends. That means you and your employees may be dealing with kids at home and homeschool until June. Figure out creative ways to flex hours, run split shifts, alternate days and times, to allow people some flexibility to deal with essential tasks at home.
Employees are now focusing on keeping themselves and their families well while dealing with additional pressures like homeschool. If you have issues with attendance, consider a weekly bonus if someone can work a minimum number of hours. Not necessarily at a specific desk or station, but giving you what you need, albeit on their schedule. Let them be creative on how and when and you may be surprised by their solution. That little extra in their check may mean they can hire daycare, or let their part-time spouse stay home to manage things, or fill a gas tank rather than stopping for a few gallons a day because they are struggling financially. Considering the cost to train a replacement, getting creative to retain employees takes less time and money than having to start over.