Hello.
In Montana, all industries have been struggling with worker shortage. Two examples off the top of my head are CVS and the YMCA.
The other day at about 6:30 p.m. I went by the
CVS drive-thru to grab a prescription, but not only was the drive-thru window closed (they didn't have enough people working in the pharmacy to man the counter
and the window), but the CVS pharmacy
itself had closed at 6:00! The lady I spoke with the following day said they didn't have enough people available to prep in the morning, open to the public for 12 hours, and then to do evening duties and keep up on filling prescriptions. Limiting their operating hours from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for the next couple weeks was the best they could do. CVS changed their hours maybe a year ago, but even then it was just by closing one hour earlier at 8:00 instead of 9:00 p.m., so this is pretty crazy.
At our YMCA, they can't keep all programs operating per normal schedule, either: the pools open at least an hour later and closes 90 minutes earlier than the YMCA itself does because they don't have enough lifeguards. The free Child Watch program -- available to members in hourly increments so they can work out and have their child(ren) taken care of -- doesn't have enough "child watchers." They've either limited hours or temporarily shut down.
However, the federal unemployment benefits ended this week in Montana, which will help matters. I know
I'm seeing a change as parents have to return to work and are calling regularly to inquire about my options for childcare. Some parents have flat-out not worked in a year-and-a-half and are only now going to work because they have to. But thank goodness! I'm looking to be back at capacity next week (and it's just me...I don't have employees). The last time I had a full house was right before we took "two weeks to flatten the curve." Ha ha. It's been so frustrating because I never saw illness here, three of my moms who work in nursing (school, retirement community, and oncology) never shared illness nor did they experience anything out of the norm, and the same goes for another mom who teaches 3rd grade. And our schools opened last August, so they were in operation the entire school year. I have so many questions about what happened this past year, but despite watching entire cities fold and business die, and seeing families suffer, we're not really supposed to ask questions. I don't think this reality has truly hit me because I don't know how I feel about it, except I know that it doesn't feel "right."
Time just has to do its thing.
I hope everyone gets to hire staff soon and that families get the help they need, too. This may not be what everyone wants to hear, but things may not change a whole lot in your state until the emergency/pandemic unemployment benefits end and people have to find work again.
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Lindsay
Billings, MT
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2021 10:11 AM
From: Laura Ortiz
Subject: Staff turnover
Hi everyone
I am writing from San Antonio Texas.
I wanted to ask and get some feedback, guidance, ideas… anything that can assist in get people back to work. I am having a very challenging time bringing in new staff. Many don't follow through with returned phone calls, interviews, staying on board once they are hired.
Is this affecting the Early Childhood field as a whole or am I missing something that maybe I can change or improve to hire and retain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Laura Ortiz
Program Director
First Presbyterian Church Children's Center
San Antonio TX
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