GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – Uncertainty during the pandemic punched a powerful hole in the workforce but a new local hiring frenzy has job seekers like CNA Maddison Burge looking to punch the clock and rack up hours again.
“They’re putting me on 12 hour shifts on the weekends which means I get three days off,” Newly Hired CNA Maddison Burge shares, anticipating her first day. “I work like four days a week which, I know, that’s great.”
Nationwide, workers have been saying “I quit” in record numbers. More and more job seekers and new hires say maintaining their well-being is just as important as having a job.
“I guess something I would want to avoid most is burnout,” Maddison Burge expresses, “The people I’m working with are amazing. The leadership and all the administrators are super open and caring. I just really appreciate that from an employer.”
Staff shortages before the pandemic fueled burnout and the Great Resignation. Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce officials say, people want to work but on new terms in this new normal.
“The pandemic also made us appreciate our families having flexible time being able to work remotely,” Diane Schwenke describes, “So they’re either negotiating with current employers to do some of those things or they’re just looking at opportunities with other employers where they have some of that flexibility.”
Workers want work-life balance and good pay. Employers are adapting so job seekers can either go back to their old job or make a positive career change.
“It’s different across all industries,” Mesa County Workforce Center Director Curtis Englehart states, “It does seem like on the employer side, especially, we’re seeing a lot more employers be a lot more flexible and adaptable to this new workforce as they try and get employees back,”
Wages are up, work conditions are changing, and staffing professionals say now is a great time to jump back in the job market.