PROGRESS 2022 PUNCHING THE CLOCK IN NORTH IOWA
March 20, 2022 SECTION F
Left behind Great Resignation also affects those who stay HART PISANI
Globe Gazette
The Great Resignation has impacted businesses all across the country in a multitude of ways. The Globe Gazette spoke with two local workers to get a feel for how the Great Resignation has impacted them. Their names have been kept anonymous to avoid fallout in their respective workplaces.
Landscape architect
When speaking with a landscape architect, we inquired about various aspects of his business that have been impacted by the Great Resignation. “We’ve had trouble filling blue collar landscaping maintenance positions,” he said. “(We haven’t had) a lot of resignations, but the sentiment is definitely there that if anyone was really fed up with work here, they could just walk down the street and find another job for less stress and most likely less pay.” Even though the architect’s primary duties place him in the office, he’s noticed an increase in his own workload and the workload of others in his business. “I’ve had to step up into other positions that I wasn’t originally hired to perform, but fortunately for me it’s stuff I enjoy,” he said. “No increase in overtime or anything like that, just more responsibilities to be done when we have the time.” When it comes to bringing in new employees, however, the architect said he’s noticed a a considerable change since the Great Resignation began. “The biggest element of work to suffer in our business is the training. We haven’t had the manpower to properly service all our clients while also properly training new employees.
ABBY KOCH, GLOBE GAZETTE
Stellar Industries Vice President of Human Resources Susan Sabin says there have been more challenges to hire people.
HIRE POWERS Companies rethink approach to recruiting, retaining employees
ABBY KOCH
H
Globe Gazette
iring has become a challenge for local big business. To get the job done, big businesses have made adjustments to attract and retain employees. Across the nation, millions of people have stepped away from jobs amid what’s being called the Great Resignation. Experts say it’s driven by employees wanting better working conditions. MecyOne North Iowa Medical Center President Rod Schlader said hospitals across the country are experiencing critical staffing shortages. MercyOne North Iowa recognizes that staffing demand
increased during the pandemic as the number of trained providers decreased. “It’s important as we look to the future that we are open to creating thriving environments Schlader for our colleagues and providers,” said Schlader. “For example, we are innovating and exploring the possibilities of digital support staff and new models of care.” Stellar Industries Vice President of Human Resources Susan Sabin said the company hasn’t seen the mass exodus other industries have, but does have
open positions that needing to be filled. To that end, Stellar has become more flexible to accommodate its employees, like allowing people to work from home. MercyOne North Iowa and Stellar have developed programs for staff retention. Schlader said MercyOne North Iowa has put increased focus on workplace culture and support for its team. For example, a Care Circle team is available to provide activities and group counseling to all support staff. Additionally, it is reviewing pay and benefits on a regular basis to stay competitive within the health care market, he said. Please see HIRE, Page F2
Please see RESIGNATION, Page F2
INSIDE
Comeback kids Mason City has many benefits to attract workers
Making history
PAGE F4
Home work
Clear Lake added big projects in 2021
Pandemic changed how many of us do our jobs
PAGE F5
PAGE F9
WORK ORK FOR A COMPANY COMP THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST. GET UP TO A $1,500 REFERRAL BONUS. OPEN MANUF MANUFACTURING POSITIONS 00 1
Apply at IMT.COM/CAREERS. Have questions? Email us at WORK@IMT.COM.