This seems pretty simple to me since the special unemployment insurance is up to $600/week[0] through at least July 31 it’s going to be hard to convince someone to work for less than that.
So if it’s a choice between $15/hour, steady to not work and $18/hour variable to bus tables or whatnot I’m not surprised that people choose the $15.
I expect this will be different once unemployment goes back to pre-covid and people are forced to make decisions.
Many jobs are terrible, I mean no one wants to be a janitor. So when finances allow me to not have to clean toilets and I can make a similar amount not doing it, any rational person will choose not to.
I’m really surprised that any low wage jobs are able to get folks to come into work right now.
It’s odd that the article doesn’t bring this up as the opportunity cost aspect seems like the most important factor in the “labor shortage.”
> Many jobs are terrible, I mean no one wants to be a janitor.
I honestly fail to see how janitor is a terrible job -- being in charge of keeping a building in shape, doing the repairs, etc.? That seems like a great job to me.
I'd wager most people would have a problem with the pay rather than the job itself.
I don’t see how this isn’t more obvious. 18 months ago the US was pretty much at full employment the only thing different then and now is the pandemic and the bailouts.
I feel like this article and the others like it are just political opportunism.
So if it’s a choice between $15/hour, steady to not work and $18/hour variable to bus tables or whatnot I’m not surprised that people choose the $15.
I expect this will be different once unemployment goes back to pre-covid and people are forced to make decisions.
Many jobs are terrible, I mean no one wants to be a janitor. So when finances allow me to not have to clean toilets and I can make a similar amount not doing it, any rational person will choose not to.
I’m really surprised that any low wage jobs are able to get folks to come into work right now.
It’s odd that the article doesn’t bring this up as the opportunity cost aspect seems like the most important factor in the “labor shortage.”
[0] https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus/unemployment-insurance