Retailers struggle to hire staff to meet Christmas demand.

Deviso

https://fora.ie/retail-christmas-staff-shortages-4264300-Oct2018/

I get the country is almost at full employment. But youth unemployment is still at 13%. I'm 22 and work FT. If I was unemployed I'd be applying to anything I could get. Is this not the general attitude?

bear1

These are jobs just for the season right? In other words it isn't full time employment?

CinemaGuy45

bear1 wrote: »

These are jobs just for the season right? In other words, it isn't full-time employment?

You beat me to it take one of these jobs and you on the dole in January when it is near impossible to get a job.
Try again OP for an outrage thread and won't somebody please think of the children.:D

Ms Cash is looking for a job no??

Pherekydes

Maybe if they offered more than zero hour contracts...

CinemaGuy45

Aiyana Enough Yearbook wrote: »

Ms Cash is looking for a job no??

And she has lots of experience in retail stores.

punisher5112

Aiyana Enough Yearbook wrote: »

Ms Cash is looking for a job no??

Wrong.... She has never even needed to or even had a thought of doing any such thing as work....

Her and the husband are very busy in the bedroom and as he is a career criminal he is very busy and no time for that....

milehip

Listen to Christmas carols 8 hours a day while dealing with the general public, many of who are on a heightened level of stress because of the time of year,for minimum wage, all while dressed like an elf?
Sure anyone on the dole would jump at the chance.

iamwhoiam

milehip wrote: »

Listen to Christmas carols 8 hours a day while dealing with the general public, many of who are on a heightened level of stress because of the time of year,for minimum wage, all while dressed like an elf?
Sure anyone on the dole would jump at the chance.

There are many people working in retail who have pride in working for a wage and not languishing on the dole .

noodler

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

You beat me to it take one of these jobs and you on the dole in January when it is near impossible to get a job.
Try again OP for an outrage thread and won't somebody please think of the children.:D

Near impossible to get a job?

punisher5112

I think every young person or old should be made work in such jobs so they then learn how horrible people can be.

It may actually change many as how they deal with others and how they treat others like crap.

I unfortunately have to deal with the public and it's draining.

Give out for anything, make up complaints, harassment, threats of violence, have been attacked numerous times etc etc etc.....

bri007

Penny’s May take her on, she could be an undercover shopper lifter!

punisher5112 wrote: »

Wrong.... She has never even needed to or even had a thought of doing any such thing as work....

Her and the husband are very busy in the bedroom and as he is a career criminal he is very busy and no time for that....

suicide_circus

milehip wrote: »

Listen to Christmas carols 8 hours a day while dealing with the general public, many of who are on a heightened level of stress because of the time of year,for minimum wage, all while dressed like an elf?
Sure anyone on the dole would jump at the chance.

and there in lies the problem. Minimum wage in an elf costume should look like winning the lotto to anyone who is on the dole long term.

leggo

Ah now, to balance it out, Irish workers can be very entitled and it can be quite difficult to find younger staff with a work ethic these days. I say this as someone who trains people in in my job. They come in the door and straight away they’re asking about breaks, how to get days off, what they can get away with etc and nothing to do with being good at their job. They assume they know it all already and you can see where they’ll fall down within seconds then, sure enough, within a few weeks they’re falling and giving out blaming managers and everyone else for their problems.

I think the recession and lack of jobs then brought with it an attitude of “do what you love and sure you’ll survive on nothing until you get that because you have to”, which obviously has positives but also isn’t realistic. Entry level jobs teach basic, essential life skills as simple as “just ****ing work to earn money and build a life, you don’t have to like it but if you want a life this is what you need to do sometimes” and I wonder what will be lost between the cracks now a lot of younger people are simply opting out of that because they think the course they studied makes them ‘better’ than these kind of jobs despite zero real world experience.

Of course there are exceptions, but for every one of them who come in the door you’ve 10-15 who apply to the above.

Gimme A Pound

If people are stuck for a job they'd take even temporary work for experience/a chance to prove themselves. It's a pain for the retailers but a good sign more broadly speaking.

punisher5112

punisher5112 wrote: »

I think every young person or old should be made work in such jobs so they then learn how horrible people can be.

It may actually change many as how they deal with others and how they treat others like crap.

I unfortunately have to deal with the public and it's draining.

Give out for anything, make up complaints, harassment, threats of violence, have been attacked numerous times etc etc etc.....

Yeah and it’s not always just the customer. A few days ago I was in a pound shop owned by a Chinese couple, they were stocking eliquids so I thought I’d see what they had on offer. Picking them up and reading labels for nic contents etc, firstly the male owner came over and just let me know not to open any. That’s fine, says I. I wouldn’t dream of it.

A minute later his wife rather rudely demanded I don’t open them. I told her the gentleman had already said as much, don’t worry I says, I don’t plan to. “We have cameras we see you!!”

Like what’s that about? As a business owner surely you’d have better sense than to annoy a customer. I guess I got a slight taste of how it must be for some retail workers dealing with customers in a similar fashion. I couldn’t dream of being rude to a retail person (in general I try to be as nice as possible). The most “rude” or difficult I’ve been in recent time was when my partner wanted scrambled egg on a bagel in O’briens and yer wan said they only do scrambled egg after 12pm if you get all day Eggworks.

Says I sure what’s the difference if I get scrambled egg on an all day egg works or just by itself?? Minor argument ensued, in the end she made it. I think the strangest part of that was they had the scrambled egg mixture already made up & it was literally as simple as microwaving for a minute and putting on the bagel. I can’t understand such a policy anyway.

Anyway TL;DR it’s not always customers who can be arseholes workers can be just as bad.

harr

The shops where I live are crying out for full time workers ( not seasonal) and are struggling to fill the positions. Most of the positions are above minimum wage. Funny thing is a huge rate of people under 25 are unemployed and on social welfare.
A lot young people just don’t want to work..

blinding

milehip wrote: »

Listen to Christmas carols 8 hours a day while dealing with the general public, many of who are on a heightened level of stress because of the time of year,for minimum wage, all while dressed like an elf?
Sure anyone on the dole would jump at the chance.

They’d have to throw in sex when you put it like that !

harr

harr wrote: »

The shops where I live are crying out for full time workers ( not seasonal) and are struggling to fill the positions. Most of the positions are above minimum wage. Funny thing is a huge rate of people under 25 are unemployed and on social welfare.
A lot young people just don’t want to work..

I’d love to be back working. But every job I apply for and get an interview I either never hear back or get the classic “we’ll keep you on file”. Kind of crushes your enthusiasm to keep looking.

r93kaey5p2izun

I loved working in retail at Christmas. I'd do it again now for the extra money but they want full flexibility and that's not something I could commit to. I think that's a big part of the problem and lots more people would do it if they defined the hours more. Sure, full flexibility suits the shops at a busy time, but if it means they can't get staff then they'll have to compromise. Childcare means lots of those who would suit this sort of role perfectly just couldn't consider it due to the unpredictable hours.

IvySlayer

My company is screaming out for workers, KPs, CAs, chefs particularly!

We are relying on agencies full time now and some of the people they send us are a joke!

noodler

Damari Worried RamrodMGS wrote: »

I’d love to be back working. But every job I apply for and get an interview I either never hear back or get the classic “we’ll keep you on file”. Kind of crushes your enthusiasm to keep looking.

You need to sort out your CV and interview.

Use professionals.

Stopping looking is a terrible option.

Working in Dunnes myself. They hire too many college students and then roster them with nearly full time hours. They can't balance college and a near full time job in the evenings in the run up to christmas with exams etc. Turnover is huge.
Hire less college students? No one else wants to do the work.

Atlantic Dawn

Any links to any of these jobs to see why people are not interested in them?

Your Face

I used to work in retail.

Seasonal staff get the hours the full-timers don't want. They also get paid less and are usually working at the beck and call of managers.
Absolutely no job security.

I don't blame anyone who wouldn't take it on.

Chinasea

Where are the minimum waged supposed to live?

julyjane

I remember being unemployed 8 years ago and applying to Dunnes for Christmas work. at the time we had 2 young children and my husband was also unemployed part time and only working 5pm-2am Monday and Tuesday nights I said I had full flexibility outside of those 2 nights, I had my own car and could be there any time day or night but it must have raised a red flag when I said there were some hours I was unavailable. same with a fast food restaurant. we had no social life so no babysitter we could just call on, it was a bit of a kick in the teeth to not even get a call back, if I'd said no weekends then understandably they'd be telling me where to go

Jellybaby1

Lots of older people like myself who lost their jobs in 2009 couldn't get back to work. I have piles and piles of copies of emails and applications I sent in for years afterwards and only one company gave me a temporary part time job which I enjoyed. I was given a very good reference at the end of it but still couldn't get back to work. Maybe now that the employers are having a harder time recruiting they might consider the over 50's? I'd love to be a Christmas postwoman, coffee shop worker, supermarket worker but none of those companies wanted me then and probably don't want me now, though its far too late for me now as I'm officially an OAP.

Ray Palmer

I did temporary work around Christmas ever year growing up. Only really stopped when had full time work that didn't enable it but did do it when a few years when working another job. Wanted the extra money for Christmas but mainly to take a holiday in the new year. Now I take Christmas off and go away as work closes down anyway.

So many of the people I worked with didn't care if they did a good job because it wasn't permanent. I always try to do the best and don't understand why people resent work.

harr

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Lots of older people like myself who lost their jobs in 2009 couldn't get back to work. I have piles and piles of copies of emails and applications I sent in for years afterwards and only one company gave me a temporary part time job which I enjoyed. I was given a very good reference at the end of it but still couldn't get back to work. Maybe now that the employers are having a harder time recruiting they might consider the over 50's? I'd love to be a Christmas postwoman, coffee shop worker, supermarket worker but none of those companies wanted me then and probably don't want me now, though its far too late for me now as I'm officially an OAP.

That’s a pity, I was speaking to a shop owner last week who said in the 10 years he has owned his convenience store he only has twice gotten CVs from middle aged people or older people who have retired.
He said he would hire older people quicker than teenagers or someone in their early 20,s as recons retired people have a much better work ethic.
He had a lady in her late 50,s working before and she never missed a day sick or was ever late and she did more work than most of the other staff put together.

Jellybaby1

harr wrote: »

That’s a pity, I was speaking to a shop owner last week who said in the 10 years he has owned his convenience store he only has twice gotten CVs from middle aged people or older people who have retired.
He said he would hire older people quicker than teenagers or someone in their early 20,s as recons retired people have a much better work ethic.
He had a lady in her late 50,s working before and she never missed a day sick or was ever late and she did more work than most of the other staff put together.

Hopefully when the shop owner advertises for staff they will add, 'retired people accepted'. We believe we are not wanted now so stopped applying.

YFlyer

I'm doing my PhD at the moment at the University of Limerick. Currently ran out of funding. Would do retail work in the weekend, evenings or night, if offered.

TallGlass

I've 7 years experience in retail, I work 9-5 Monday to Friday in IT.

I'd happily do weekends shifts for a few hours and an evening or two during the week. I think it's a waste of 7 years real life experience in retail. I enjoyed my time in retail over all, some wacko managers and customers but that comes with it. Made some good friends both working and the regular shoppings coming in.

Problem is, employeers are not flexible here. They see me as having a job, won't be flexible with me and just bin my CV. Completely over looking my 7 years retail experience and what I can offer. I'll be easily started in a role as I know what to do from the get go and know the dos and don'ts.

All they want is extra bodies and fully flexible people to do 10/15 hours. That's just not gonna happen.

daheff

OSI wrote: »

So no one should ever take a job unless it's a guaranteed life long setup? A lot of these seasonal jobs translate into permanent jobs following the end of the season. Pretty much all of my college jobs started as Christmas seasonal jobs that became permanent come January.

its not worth the effort of getting off the dole, doing some work and then trying to re-register on the dole. They could be weeks without benefits afterwards and their situations may have changed, so might not get back the same benefits as before.

Anything less than 6 months isnt generally worth it for people to come off the dole....and especially for minimum wage.

YFlyer

daheff wrote: »

Anything less than 6 months isnt generally worth it for people to come off the dole....and especially for minimum wage.

So everyone else have to pay?

TallGlass

YFlyer wrote: »

So everyone else have to pay?

Pretty much. It's not just minimum wage either, get a job they lose, medical card, bus pass, rent allowance if they have it and the Christmas bonus which they wouldn't get in a Christmas job.

If I was on the dole I wouldn't move for anything less than 45k. It's ridiculous but this is where we are at.

Franz Von Peppercorn

The best solution for companies struggling to find employees is higher wages.

harr

It’s depressing reading some posts on Facebook, people saying they wouldn’t come off the dole for less than 15 euro an hour .. I seen some people commenting on a local business post looking for 6 month maternity cover saying if the said business paid more than the current 11.50 an hour they might get someone to take the job, or why would people be bothered working flat out for 40 hours a week for 11.50.. now this particularly job isn’t a skilled job and no experience required and they said possible full time roll after the 6 months for for right person.
Is Ireland’s work ethic gone this bad or is it just a sense of entitlement with the younger generation...

Franz Von Peppercorn

harr wrote: »

It’s depressing reading some posts on Facebook, people saying they wouldn’t come off the dole for less than 15 euro an hour .. I seen some people commenting on a local business post looking for 6 month maternity cover saying if the said business paid more than the current 11.50 an hour they might get someone to take the job, or why would people be bothered working flat out for 40 hours a week for 11.50.. now this particularly job isn’t a skilled job and no experience required and they said possible full time roll after the 6 months for for right person.
Is Ireland’s work ethic gone this bad or is it just a sense of entitlement with the younger generation...

It’s actually economics 101. Labour is a commodity. If demand exceeds supply then prices should go up.

TallGlass

It's not entitlement to be honest it's common sense and maths. Government pays you more than the employeers trying to get staff. Why give it up you've your freedom no schedule to stick too. I can see the position people are in, thankfully I have always had a job and never got stuck in the welfare trap.

Philosophy Zombie

Some of the youth make way more money selling drugs than going through with full-time retail work. Casual in and out deals with weed, not going full-on Tony Montana.

r93kaey5p2izun

TallGlass wrote: »

I've 7 years experience in retail, I work 9-5 Monday to Friday in IT.

I'd happily do weekends shifts for a few hours and an evening or two during the week. I think it's a waste of 7 years real life experience in retail. I enjoyed my time in retail over all, some wacko managers and customers but that comes with it. Made some good friends both working and the regular shoppings coming in.

Problem is, employeers are not flexible here. They see me as having a job, won't be flexible with me and just bin my CV. Completely over looking my 7 years retail experience and what I can offer. I'll be easily started in a role as I know what to do from the get go and know the dos and don'ts.

All they want is extra bodies and fully flexible people to do 10/15 hours. That's just not gonna happen.

Same. I've ten years retail experience and would be happy to do two evenings and one weekend day in addition to my full time job. But if they are not willing to accept anything less than last minute notice to work next day or even same day, then they only have themselves to blame for struggling to fill vacancies.

YFlyer

TallGlass wrote: »

Pretty much. It's not just minimum wage either, get a job they lose, medical card, bus pass, rent allowance if they have it and the Christmas bonus which they wouldn't get in a Christmas job.

If I was on the dole I wouldn't move for anything less than 45k. It's ridiculous but this is where we are at.

Yeah sad case of affairs.

I'm on the breadline atm. I'm lucky for my sister to give me ready cooked meals.

decky1

Pherekydes wrote: »

Maybe if they offered more than zero hour contracts...

bang on the button there, and maybe a little extra in the wage packet.

r93kaey5p2izun

sugarman wrote: »

Is it? Because you can work up to 20hrs a week PT and still claim benefits.

You would not be accepted for these temp retail contracts if restricted to under 20 hours. You have to be fully flexible.

mikemac2

TallGlass wrote: »

Pretty much. It's not just minimum wage either, get a job they lose, medical card, bus pass, rent allowance if they have it and the Christmas bonus which they wouldn't get in a Christmas job.

If I was on the dole I wouldn't move for anything less than 45k. It's ridiculous but this is where we are at.

people on HAP can work.

The unemployed never got the bus pass anyway.

Medical card can be kept if they register with the Jobsplus scheme which used to be called Revenue Job assist. Your benefits are wound down over three years. Need a good job though, not a Christmas job

leggo wrote: »

Ah now, to balance it out, Irish workers can be very entitled and it can be quite difficult to find younger staff with a work ethic these days.

Every generation says this and when you were a young ‘un it was said about you too

YFlyer

sugarman wrote: »

Is it? Because you can work up to 20hrs a week PT and still claim benefits.

It is up to a few euro shy of the dole amount and not over 3 days a week. Week begins on a Wednesday.

YFlyer

Philosophy Zombie wrote: »

Some of the youth make way more money selling drugs than going through with full-time retail work. Casual in and out deals with weed, not going full-on Tony Montana.

Lol

Conall Cernach

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Lots of older people like myself who lost their jobs in 2009 couldn't get back to work. I have piles and piles of copies of emails and applications I sent in for years afterwards and only one company gave me a temporary part time job which I enjoyed. I was given a very good reference at the end of it but still couldn't get back to work. Maybe now that the employers are having a harder time recruiting they might consider the over 50's? I'd love to be a Christmas postwoman, coffee shop worker, supermarket worker but none of those companies wanted me then and probably don't want me now, though its far too late for me now as I'm officially an OAP.

Employers don't have to pay young people the same as older workers. For someone under 18 the min wage is only 6.69 per hour for people under 20 they can be paid 8.60 or less. For yourself they'd have to offer at least 9.55 per hour.

blackdog2

If employers offered working conditions, safety and pay to match the stress of the job, then they'd have ample supply of workers.

TallGlass

As I said. You'd want to be going into a 45k job if your rent allowance and kids. The problem is it's hard to get a role paying 45k off the bat. So people won't move.

In fairness there are some people on welfare you'd offer then 200k a year and they wouldn't take it lol.