A new survey from Leger exploring the perspectives of consumers in North America on labour shortages reveals that 60% of Canadians have experienced a situation within the last three months where in-person businesses were under-staffed.
This includes restaurants/bars, retail stores, grocery stores, and/or other similar in-person companies.
Groceries received the highest percentage of consumers experiencing an under-staffed situation (42% Canadians), followed by grocery stores (30%), retail stores (29%), and other types of in-person services or stores (22%). In all of these cases, the percentage is higher for Americans.
Asked what economic factors are impacting Canadians the most right now, 34% point to the higher cost of goods, 22% point to the higher cost of gas, 16% say it is the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and 15% say it is the higher cost of housing/rent.
Only 3% note the unavailability of foods, 2% the lack of staff in the service industry, and 2% other. Six per cent indicated that it was none of the above for them.
As for what businesses can do to entice more people back to work at service jobs, such as restaurants, fast food, convenience stores, grocery stores, retail, and more—50% of respondents said better salaries would help, followed by better benefits (15%), and more flexible hours (13%).
Respondents were also asked what they think the best option is for companies dealing with employees earning minimum wage, to which 10% suggested companies should maintain the minimum wage, 48% said they should increase it to the level of inflation, and 30% said the minimum wage should be increased significantly.
