OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Companies have openings for jobs available, but that’s not the case anymore.
For the last 40 years, Joanne Schneider has worked with Mid-States Aluminum in Fond du Lac in an HR role.
She says there doesn’t seem to be enough people to work.
Adding she hoped the expired unemployment benefits would bring job seekers out, but that hasn’t been the case.
“What we’re finding out, there are people that are the job hoppers to leave a job for a dollar more an hour without the understanding that your benefits can be everything too that you need to look at,” said Schneider. “Not just your hourly wage but benefits and culture.”
Applicants that applied to Mid-States Aluminum once benefits expired didn’t have the experience the company was looking for.
Schneider believes this is widespread across different industries.
And so does Teresa Jager, an HR manager at the Smuckers Plant in Ripon.
She says baby boomers wanting to step away plays a factor too.
“We’ve had several employees retire early just because it’s stressful. It’s exhausting,” said Jager. “Their to a point saying I’m not sure if I really want to do this anymore, I want to relax, retire, stay home a little bit more with my family.”
Bobbi Miller organized the job fair, and says every industry needs help, but understands why some haven’t returned to work.
“For some people they still struggled with the idea of my kids are in childcare and we’re still having rolling issues with some weeks they can go,” said Miller. “They got exposed, then they can’t go to childcare. For a lot of individuals, they want to protect their good work attendance history.”
