Businesses battle labour shortage with creative incentives
For some businesses, the answer to difficult labour shortages is a cash bonus for anyone who takes the job – but even that isn’t enough sometimes.
It's worse in some industries than others, but those businesses struggling to find staff say they're working harder than ever and trying new ways to attract workers.
At Lil Z’s Pizza in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, finding staff to work in the kitchen isn’t easy. When a prospective employee walks through the door, they have all the power.
"If someone shows up for the interview we're like, 'Okay, you're hired.' You know, him or her, they get the job," said manager Johny Bonney.
A new report from Statistics Canada describes the labour crisis – business are more likely to increase wages or find other incentives to attract workers.
"We put it out there, 'Hey, we'll give signing bonuses,' some extra incentive to even just get people to apply," said Bonney. "At one point we had $1000 on the table."
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says the restaurant industry may be the worst hit.
"At the national level 55 per cnt of small businesses are saying that they are affected by labour shortages," said Jasmin Guenette, VP of National Affairs with CFIB.
"Today we have 37,000 jobs going unfilled, costing our economy billions of dollars," said Ontario’s labour minister Monte McNaughton.
The health care sector and airline industry are struggling too.
McNaughton says Ontario should be looking outside of the country for help.
"We need a new deal from Ottawa when it comes to immigration. It's a tool we have to help fill shortages," said McNaughton.
With no imminent or easy solution, businesses like Little Z’s Pizza are sometimes left teetering on the edge.
"We're always one staff away from disaster," said Bonney.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.