We have decided to start hiring zombies. You see, we’ve done everything possible to find normal, living beings but they just aren’t available. So, we’re going to go after a non-traditional population. The only issue with zombies is their preferred diet, but I think we could work around that. Besides, hiring zombies is the only option left.
Sound familiar? Some of you would be happy to hire zombies if they were available in ample supply, reliable and interested in working in the field. It stems from a sense of desperation regarding staffing and the current labor shortage. If not zombies, what’s the solution?
The solution begins by understanding the true nature of the problem. If the problem isn’t properly recognized, the solution will miss the mark.
Furthermore, the problem is multifaceted, and so there are a variety of solutions required at various levels. There is no one simple solution—no silver bullet. And zombies don’t exist.
At the national level, there are demographic trends that are causing problems for employers. In the U.S., we have increased demand for services as population growth continues to more than 320 million people. However, we have an aging population as the baby boomers reach 65. More than 20 percent of the U.S. population will soon be over 65 years of age, and this will be the new norm for the rest of my life.
We also have a declining labor participation rate, not only due to the aging population but also to governmental policies. On top of these facts, the value of trades work and manual labor has been diminished in our information-driven society.
What we have, then, is more demand for services and fewer people available to meet this demand. That is the problem, not only in our industry but in all service industries.
Some of these trends, such as an aging population, are out of our control. Other trends, like the declining labor participation rate, are controlled by those we elect to govern us. Solutions are difficult, but not impossible, to enact at the national level. Employers, as citizens, have a responsibility to be informed, engaged and supportive of candidates who bring solutions to the table. Some of you may even wish to run for elected office.
Closer to home, competition for available labor is fierce at both the industry level and the organizational level. Solutions exist at each of these levels, and these solutions are much more attainable than those at the national level. I will be addressing each of these areas in a future blog post.
Now go forth.
