July 4 started out to be a pretty good day. Decided to go out for brunch to celebrate our country’s independence. There aren’t a lot of choices in our city, but we decided to try a place we hadn’t been to for years. The parking looked great—plenty of handicapped places. And we were pleased when seeing so many customers wearing patriotic clothing. Got inside, and looked for the host, or whatever they call the person who meets you at the door and arranges for seating. Nobody at the desk. Waited awhile. Nada. Finally called out, ‘anybody here?” That brought someone out from the back. Everything went downhill from there. Warning! Help Wanted is a bad sign.

Warning! Help Wanted is a bad sign. The service will be poor. — Warning! Help Wanted is a bad sign. You will not receive good service.

Got seated by a pleasant young woman who brought us our coffee right away. We perused the menu, and decided what to have. She took her time getting back to our table, but we weren’t unduly concerned. While waiting, we looked around. The place was half empty. Unusual for a Sunday morning. She finally came back and took our order. And then the long wait began.

They didn’t have WIFI, so I couldn’t get much on my phone to pass the time. After half an hour, she came and asked if we wanted more coffee. We said, “no, we’d like to have our food, if that’s possible.” She swallowed hard. “I’m afraid it’s going to be awhile,” she said. “Like, how long?” I asked. “Maybe 20 minutes,” she replied.

We debated whether or not to leave. But by now, we’d invested too much time to leave, go somewhere else, park, and start all over again. The hunger pangs were making us cranky, so I looked for the waitress. Nowhere in sight. I rose from my seat to find her standing outside the kitchen. Asked her if she could fix us a couple pieces of toast while we waited. She agreed. I looked back in the kitchen and saw only one cook at the grill. No wonder the service was so slow!

We had never waited that long in any restaurant for a simple brunch. How much time does it take to cook bacon and eggs? But as we drove away, we looked at the sign outside. It said, “HELP WANTED. SERVERS AND COOKS AT BOTH LOCATIONS.” If only we had seen that before we walked in.

Obviously, the poor service is a result of the federal unemployment compensation due to Covid-19. When combined with state unemployment checks, restaurant workers can make more money staying at home than going to work. Especially in places that don’t serve liquor– which generates bigger tips.. I felt sorry for the young people who were working that day. Glad we left our waitress a good tip. It wasn’t her fault.

Warning! HELP WANTED is a bad sign.

The media has been full of warnings about a possible recession. I’m not sure how they come up with those predictions. I’d think one of the first signs would be the unemployment rate. And yet, everywhere I’ve gone this week, businesses are understaffed. Why must we wait in line for help?

If we're headed for a recession, why is there a labor shortage

IF WE’RE HEADED FOR A RECESSION, WHY IS EVERY PLACE SHORT STAFFED?

It started last weekend. I tried to deposit a check in my bank’s ATM machine over Labor Day. Alas, it was broken. On Tuesday, it was still broken, and long lines formed inside. There were only three open slots with clerks—the other five were empty. Several of us turned around and left, rather than wait 15 or 20 minutes with arthritic knees or a bad back. When I got home, my phone rang. The bank was calling to say I’d left my bank card in the ATM machine. Bummer! I took this opportunity to complain about the short staff after a long holiday. Not to mention a broken ATM system. They informed me that several people were on vacation, and there were several vacancies to fill. They didn’t apologize.

That afternoon, we had an appointment to have a new TV installed. When the service man came, he discovered our TV Stand was too small. We would have to buy another stand, and make a new appointment, which would take at least a week. The reason? Short of staff. He is the only technician the company has available, and he’s working ten hour days, going all over Indiana & Illinois.

At the VA last month, veterans waited several hours to see their physicians. Why? Same answer. Sudden shortage of staff.

Drove to the supermarket yesterday. Same problem. Long lines, only 2 checkout stands open. Signs all over the place that they are taking employment applications.

Something doesn’t add up. I’m not an economist or a politician—just a seasoned observer who’s weathered many recessions. If that’s where we are headed, why is there a labor shortage? Why must we wait in long lines for help?

Tag: labor shortage

WARNING! HELP WANTED IS A BAD SIGN.

We had never waited that long in any restaurant for a simple brunch. How much time does it take to cook bacon and eggs? But as we drove away, we looked at the sign outside. It said, “HELP WANTED. SERVERS AND COOKS AT BOTH LOCATIONS.” If only we had seen that before we walked in.

WHY MUST WE WAIT FOR HELP?

The media has been full of warnings about a possible recession. I’m not sure how they come up with those predictions. I’d think one of the first signs would be the unemployment rate. And yet, everywhere I’ve gone this week, businesses are understaffed. Why must we wait in line for help?

Something doesn’t add up. I’m not an economist or a politician—just a seasoned observer who’s weathered many recessions. If that’s where we are headed, why is there a labor shortage? Why must we wait in long lines for help?