In recent times, the job market has faced a serious challenge: a widespread shortage of workers in many fields. This issue is especially severe in low-wage areas, including the janitorial sector, which hasn’t fully recovered from the labor shortages caused by the pandemic. This article delves into three primary factors that are making it hard to find and keep janitorial staff.
Factor #1 – The Great Reshuffle
The phenomenon dubbed the “Great Resignation” saw over 50 million workers leave their jobs in 2022 and nearly 48 million the year before.
Though there was a slight decrease, with 30.6 million resignations as of October 31, 2023, the situation is more complex than it seems. Even though people are quitting, the hiring rate has been higher than the quit rate since November 2020.
This trend is evident in janitorial roles, with workers moving to different jobs and industries that offer better pay. This trend in low-wage industries can be more accurately described as “The Great Reshuffle.”
Factor #2 – The Decline in Legal Immigration and Resettlement
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that net international migration added only 247,000 people to the U.S. population from 2020 to 2021. This is a significant drop of 76% from the high point of a 1,049,000-person increase between 2015 and 2016.
This decrease is worrying for industries like building cleaning services, where 38.2% of workers are immigrants. The continued decline in immigration could lead to substantial labor shortages in the future.
Factor #3 – Challenges in Female Labor Force Participation
While there has been an overall increase in women participating in the workforce, challenges remain. In early 2020, 3.5 million mothers left their jobs, causing the participation rate to plummet from about 70% to 55%.
Although more women are working now than in February 2020, participation hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels or the all-time high of 60.2% in early 2001.
A major reported obstacle for 27% of women returning to work is the need to care for children or other family members. Considering that over 53% of janitorial workers are women, this issue poses a significant challenge for companies in this sector.
Strategies for Success
Companies need to be proactive in hiring janitorial staff effectively. They should focus on attracting new talent and keeping their best employees.
Businesses can successfully navigate these challenges by offering competitive salaries, more flexible work environments, and a strong company culture.
Understanding these trends is key for janitorial businesses to address their workforce issues effectively.