The Job Market in a COVID World
We are facing an unparalleled and unexpected U.S. labor market. The current labor shortage is primarily affecting shortages of goods and services as well as supply chain issues. A recent Forbes article highlights US employers’ struggles to find and keep workers. This is, in part, a result of employees demanding better work-life balance. LinkedIn’s 10th annual Global Talent Trends report found that workers are prioritizing work-life balance over all else, including compensation and benefits. As a result, more companies are expanding flexible work arrangements and investing in wellness and mental health offerings.
While the U.S. economy recovers from the Covid pandemic, the labor market has arguably never been stronger for workers. A recent Bloomberg article points to recent US Labor Department data that applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance fell in March to the lowest since 1969. The drop in claims is consistent with a labor market in which employers are trying to hang onto workers and attract new ones. The 4.1 million employment gap is entirely a labor-supply problem, as opposed to a lack of labor demand, which is good news for job seekers.
There has also been a shift in company hiring practices, specifically focusing on who they are hiring, as well as the importance of specific trades.
• Investing in Women: More and more companies are setting up programs to provide scholarships and train women in the trades. There has also been an increase in events and recruitment targeted toward women, with some even targeting girls in school.
• Embracing the Aging Workforce: The benefits of retaining aging workers are immense, starting with their institutional knowledge. Specifically, older employees are steady and reliable, highly experienced and skilled, loyal, task-oriented, and willing to mentor younger employees.
• The Advantage of Tech: As drones, 3-D printing, robotics and other technologies are slowly being used on jobsites, it has become clear that skilled operators are needed to manage these new technologies.
• The Importance of Trade Skills: The demand for skilled trades is high. Due to the small talent pool, many firms have increased salaries to retain talent and with less internal competition, there is a path for career advancement.
While a post-Covid job market has proven to be unchartered waters, there proves to be permanent shifts taking shape that will only benefit both companies and their employees.
Samuels Products in Growing
Samuels Products has been fortunate to maintain low employee turnover, hiring new employees because of retirement and company growth. Those employees who have recently retired from Samuels have been with the company for over 40 years.
Recently, Samuels Products has celebrated the retirement of Sales Representative Ron Nieport and Graphic Designer Peggy Johnston. After 40 years of service, both are enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
While it is hard to say goodbye, Samuels Products was excited to add new members to the sales team, Rich Hafner and Ken Martin. With 20 years of sales experience in Kentucky, Rich Hafner will be supporting our customers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Ken Martin has over 30 years of pharmacy experience and will be supporting SE Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Samuels Products also welcomed Donna Robinson as a Customer Service Representative. In her role, Donna acts as a liaison between customers and Samuels Products, ensuring superior service to our customers. With years of experience and an outgoing, helpful personality, Donna has been a welcome addition to the Samuels Products Customer Service Team.
Join the Samuels Products Team
Since 1903, Samuels has been the leading one-stop shop for pharmacy packaging products, customized labels and bags with quality customer service. Samuels is still growing, and we are looking for talented, energetic individuals to join our team. We are currently hiring for:
• Customer Service Representative: Providing superior customer service, allowing lasting relationships between Samuels Products and their customers to be forged.
• Graphic Artist: Oversees and is responsible for creating custom designs for customer’s packaging needs.
• Press Operator: Handling production of the printed materials, including the printing and racking process, to ensure it meets the specifications and is ready on schedule.
• Warehouse Personnel: Responsible for varied daily tasks such as restocking shelves, accepting incoming orders, processing and packing orders, counting inventory and ensuring orders are shipped in a timely manner.
Believing that a company is only as strong as those that they employee, Samuels is focused on investing in their employees, believes in the importance of work flexibility, and fostering a healthy workplace culture. Click here to learn more and submit your resume online.
