Staffing Solutions: Keeping Pace in a Hot Job Market

Labor shortages are a national challenge— and private clubs are among the industries experiencing difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff. In September 2018, employers nationwide had roughly a million more unfilled job openings (7.01 million) than there were
unemployed workers, according to the Labor Department. With the unemployment rate at a 49-year low (3.7%), and demand for entry-level positions high, companies are hiring workers after
a single phone interview. (See “Performance Buy- In,” page 4, for additional challenges.) Additionally, employee turnover, which is most prominent among younger generations, is costing U.S. employers
$30.5 billion annually. Additional workforce changes on the horizon include technological trends that
are robotizing, automating and digitizing our workplace, where some jobs may be eliminated and new ones created.

Recruiting, training, retaining and engaging employees requires new strategies and mindsets. No longer a “reactive hiring” economy, employers must focus on talent planning and skills building using new tools, new pipelines for talent and internal mobility. Training and development solutions can help ensure staff are equipped to be adaptive as well as create clear career paths with continuous upskilling.

HR professionals are feeling the stress of talent acquisition. According to a 2018 ManpowerGroup study, 83 percent of HR professionals in the last
12 months reported having difficulty recruiting suitable candidates. To reach new talent pools
and attract more people to the workforce, 36 percent report they are being more flexible about education and experience requirements for jobs; 33 percent are looking at different demographics, age ranges and geographies using social media
to connect with candidates or tap boomerang retirees, returning parents and part-timers; 32 percent are improving benefits; and, 29 percent are considering salary increases.

Club Director takes a look at staffing solutions and how clubs are addressing the talent challenge.