About two-thirds of Brooklyn’s merchants are having difficulty hiring workers as they try to start operations after the coronovirus shutdown – and many to keep people home for generous federal emergency unemployment benefits A new poll approved by President Biden states.
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Survey of 200 Small Businesses found that 64 percent of people were having trouble hiring.
A significant 42 percent of respondents cited enhanced COVID-19 emergency unemployment benefits through September – including a $ 300 weekly supplement – to discourage people from returning to the workforce because the government checks the city’s $ 15 minimum wage. Pay more than or more than.
The survey also found that 41 percent of merchants said they could not give enough hours to employees as they slowly emerge from the epidemic; 28 percent said employees moved to other jobs; 12 percent said workers’ safety was a concern; 7 percent reported losing contact with former employees and 5 percent cited employee health issues.
Many business owners also said that employees cited inadequate access to childcare as a barrier to returning to work.
Brooklyn President and Chief Executive Officer Randy Pearce said, “While there are a lot of reasons for the recovery and the future of small businesses in our borough, the reality is that hiring is important. Chamber of Commerce.”
“Adequate staffing and operating issues can slow our recovery and leave many small businesses we know suffer during epidemic-induced restrictions at constant risk to their long-term viability.”
Last week, the Post reported that many restaurants in New York City reported being burned by a shortage of workers who say they are better off collecting the COVID-relief bill — enhanced unemployment checks – to some eateries in the newly expanded 75 percent indoor capacity unable to open .
Unemployed New Yorkers are being paid between $ 600 and $ 805 in the United States and federal unemployment benefits per week.
The Brooklyn trade group also said its restaurants had the hardest time hiring people.
President Biden acknowledged the problem on Monday and warned people not to take advantage of this system to actually help the unemployed.
“The law is clear: if you are receiving unemployment benefits and you are offered a suitable job, you cannot refuse that job and only receive unemployment benefits,” Biden said.
“No one should be allowed to run the system and we will insist that the law be followed.”
The Brooklyn Chamber Survey stated that the hiring conflict exists despite the fact that many firms have adopted their pre-COVID recruitment strategies to attract workers by offering more flexible and remote working time, better benefits and pay, and better security measures. Replaced it.
The Chamber noted that the findings of its survey reflected a number of issues in the federal Labor Department’s April jobs report, which emphasized the rise in the unemployment rate and the hiring of data below many economists’ projections .
The survey had a silver lining: about 60 percent of respondents believe they will add some additional staff over the next twelve months, and 13 percent report they will be hiring several new employees. It is a sign of confidence in the city’s recovery, Pir said.
Only one of the 202 businesses answered that they intended to reduce their headcount.
The eateries have the largest number of hires to hire cooks and waiting staff, which should continue as the ban on indoor food has been relaxed. On May 7, indoor capacity in the city has increased to 75 percent.
“Brooklyn is a great place to open and run a business and the future is bright. But we need to help those entrepreneurs who put a lot of sweat into making successful ventures before the epidemic and are now wondering what their promise is and how they will be able to work with full force.
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