Where Are the Workers?

Issue 7.43

October 22, 2021

Message from the President

A record 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in August, and that was up from 4.0 million in July. The numbers are troubling and no sector is immune from these realities.

In a recent New York Times article, author Ben Casselman notes that “The number of open jobs actually fell somewhat in August, to 10.4 million from a record 11.1 million in July, as the latest wave of the pandemic took a bite out of consumer demand, especially in the service sector. Read more >

SEEKING NOMINATIONS

JOSIAH MARVEL CUP

The State Chamber is seeking nominations for Delaware’s highest business honor—the Josiah Marvel Cup. The recipient’s identity is held in confidence until the 185th Annual Dinner on Monday, January 10, 2022.

The Marvel Cup is awarded annually in honor of the memory of Josiah Marvel, who reorganized and was the first president of the modern-day State Chamber, 1913-1914. It was established by the State Chamber in 1951 to honor a Delawarean who has made an outstanding contribution to the state, community, or society. Nominate someone >

DETV Presents: The Agenda

Have you noticed empty shelves at Wawa? Low wait staff at your favorite local restaurant? You're not alone. We are in the midst of the greatest worker shortage in history, which is affecting every step of the supply chain. DSCC's Mike Quaranta sat down with DETV's Kerwin Gaines to learn what the state is doing to handle this crisis. Watch >

Where Are the Workers?

HOW CAN SO MANY AMERICANS AFFORD NOT TO WORK?

AND WILL IT LAST?

Article by the New York Times

A shortage of bus drivers has forced school districts to combine routes. A lack of servers has caused restaurants to reduce hours. And you may have noticed that the checkout lines at supermarkets, drugstores and other retailers have grown.

The labor shortage of 2021 is both conspicuous and perplexing. How is it, after all, that several million people who were working before the pandemic are now getting by without a paycheck? Read more >

THE FUTURE OF HEALTH

CARE IS HERE

Through ChristianaCare's Center for Virtual Health, they are making it possible for their neighbors to get medical care when and where it is most convenient for them—whether at home using a computer or mobile device, in a Community Access Point such as a local library, or even in their neighborhood, like the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington. Read more >

Health, Wellness, & Your Bottom Line

BACK PAIN, DISABILITY, AND LOST PRODUCTIVITY, OH MY!

Your team’s project deadline is

fast approaching. It’ll be an all-hands-on

deck work week. Then comes the

dreaded call from an employee

suffering with severe back pain.

Their unexpected absence will mean

even longer hours for everyone else,

or a missed deadline and lost

business revenue. Read more >

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

The American Psychological Association issued a warning about the impact of stressful events on long-term physical

and mental health. They warned that Americans faced a second pandemic—

one that would persist even after the physical threat of the virus has been addressed. A recent survey of U.S.

adults, indicates that this prediction

is indeed coming true. Read more >