TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Many businesses may have to wait a considerable amount of time before they can expect more workers to walk through their doors.
Labor shortages are impacting businesses across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are making workers leave the workforce or retire early.
Indiana State University Professor of Economics Robert Guell predicts that the labor shortage could go on for years.
“Three, five will unwind this window,” Guell said. “We’ll figure out COVID and those people who were going to retire would’ve retired anyway and you’ll just push everybody up the age chain.”
Guell explained that workers who were near retirement decided to jump at the opportunity of an early retirement rather than rejoining the workforce in the midst of a pandemic.
Grand Traverse Pie Company General Manager Stephen Huddleston said that its been a struggle to get potential workers through the door.
“We’ve gone through this almost two years now,” Huddleston said. “You’re working harder to get the same amount of work done.”
With less staff available, Huddleston stated that it has added extra strain upon his existing staff.
“If you’re working with a short staff and then you get an extra hit of business it’s tougher,” Huddleston said.
