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Worker Shortage

There is an ‘unprecedented’ shortage in candidates as demand for workers reaches a near all-time high, according to a recent report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation. This worrying trend has been attributed to factors such as skill shortages, a reluctance to switch roles, an absence of EU workers, and the ongoing furlough scheme, which draws to an end this month. Worker shortages are being felt in an array of industries such as retail, catering and social care, but none more so than the haulage industry, with an estimated shortfall of over 100,000 HGV drivers.

Incentives

With the mass shortage of lorry drivers resulting in understocked supermarkets and temporary closures for fast-food outlets, employers are now offering incentives in an attempt to plug the gap. Waitrose has announced salaries of £53,870 to entice workers into the role, with Marks & Spencer offering a sign-up bonus of £2,000. However, the haulage industry is not the only one offering such incentives; Costa Coffee is increasing pay by 5% as it looks to attract an additional 2,000 workers, and care home operator HC One, offered a huge £10,000 welcome bonus to lure registered night nurses last month. Although short-term incentives may help to paper over the cracks, many industries find themselves in need of long-term solutions and Government intervention to ease the mass worker shortage.

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