PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Cash Isn’t the Answer

by JERRY MCNEE

As we approach the end of summer, there is good news and bad news for the collision repair industry.

On a positive note, shops all over the country are telling me that they’ve returned to pre-COVID-19 numbers. In fact, most of the facilities I talk to are booked out at least a month right now. Although this looks great on paper, this growth in work is causing more stress than usual. Why? Because a lot of us don’t have the employees to handle the load.

Our industry has always struggled with an employee shortage, but it’s reached a crisis level. For one thing, other struggling industries are offering insane incentives to get people to show up. (I’ve seen some businesses go as far as to offer gift cards to anyone who simply shows up for an interview.) This situation has led many shops to make concessions just to entice potential hires – including doing things they would never consider under normal circumstances. Frankly, some of the things I’ve seen and heard shops do are becoming downright dangerous. To be blunt, there are people out there who’ve made too much money through unemployment over the past several months, and they’ve become spoiled and entitled. I recently interviewed someone for an open position at my shop, and he demanded cash under the table and informed us that he’d only work three or four days a week at his discretion. Really? What planet is this guy from? But as insane as this sounds, some shops are biting the bullet and agreeing to things this crazy just to get the work done. Look, I sympathize with how bad it is out there. Hell, even my doctor is understaffed right now. But I wouldn’t be doing my job as president of AASP/NJ if I didn’t warn people not to pay workers under the table. Not only does this hurt honest businesses out there, but it also puts you at risk if/ when an employee decides to turn you in if things go south. It’s tempting to go for instant gratification these days and just fill the open spots at your shop, but now is the time to stay strong and only bring in people who are interested in long-term careers built the right way. Our industry is already dealing with enough problems; none of us can afford to add another one to the pile.

NJA

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