Many employers are scratching their heads trying to figure this out. There are a lot of job openings, but employers are not getting very many applicants. It does not seem to matter whether the position is entry-level or more experienced; paying minimum wage or well above the average salary. The position can be fully benefited with a great work environment and culture, opportunities for advancement…you name it. So really, where is all the talent?

We can blame the obvious – Covid.

Per the Frederick County Health Department, Frederick County now has 7,425 confirmed cases, 144 confirmed deaths, and a 7-day positivity rate of 7.9 percent. That is enough to convince people to stay home in order to limit the risk. As we head into the colder months, which are notorious for increasing sicknesses, many people are doing as much as they can to limit interactions and chances of exposure. Unfortunately, when weighing options, staying safe often outweighs going to work.

“There are no easy fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions, which is why businesses need to become creative and flexible if they want to attract talent. ”

We can point fingers at Unemployment Insurance.

As of October, Maryland’s unemployment rate was 7.8 percent - which is just slightly over the national rate of 6.9 percent. It’s not uncommon to hear an employer express their thoughts that unemployment is keeping the workforce at home. The stimulus packages did provide some Americans with a stimulus check, leniency around qualifying for unemployment, and additional weekly pay. That said, unemployment payments are typically not a long-term answer nor is it enough to cover all the bills. Most people want to get back to work, and they want to get back to making the money it takes to afford their way of life. Truth-be-told, most people are struggling to get by, as well as struggling with being torn between risking getting Covid from work or making less money on unemployment.

We can acknowledge the invisible elephant in the room.

When schools and daycares closed, many parents were forced to stay home with their children. Instead of working, people began serving as full-time teachers and daycare providers. Their ability to apply for work or go to work has been handcuffed by their responsibility of being a parent. There is no amount of pay, benefits, or workplace culture that can change this. It is highly likely that job postings will remain hard to fill until schools and daycares fully reopen.

There is one caveat we can explore.

More and more job seekers are looking for remote work. Regardless of why a job seeker is staying home, it doesn’t change the fact that they are staying home. As a result, more and more employers are looking at ways to adjust their positions to meet the job seekers where they are – home. That said, the purpose of this article isn’t to suggest that employers need to make all their positions remote. Rather, the purpose is to remind employers of the complex issues all of us are facing. Bottom line: There are no easy fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions, which is why businesses need to become creative and flexible if they want to attract talent.

"No one is applying." Why?