The good news is that shoppers are returning to brick-and-mortar stores in significant numbers while online sales are stalling somewhat. The problem is that many retailers remain understaffed, including management positions.
With the high labor demand, employers feel pressure to pay higher wages to compete and attract quality talent, luring new employees away from their current jobs.
The Labor Department’s April Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, recently showed a record 4.5 million people voluntarily quit their jobs.
Another issue is that Boomers are leaving the workforce and not looking for work elsewhere. Simultaneously, many owners are fed-up with the attitudes of younger workers. A post on Reddit about Gen Zs went viral. It was a hand-written sign to would-be patrons reading, “I apologize for us closing AGAIN. My 2 new cashiers quit because I said their boyfriends couldn’t stand here for their entire shift. Don’t hire Gen Zs. They don’t know what work actually means. NOW HIRING! Baby Boomers Only.”
The reality is that Gen Z is a unique generation—one of the most hopeful and educated of generations. They also have many traits that can genuinely benefit employers if the employer takes the time to connect, listen, and communicate.
