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Is labor shortage a fair term?

The labor shortage being experienced in communities such as Door County this summer may not be as simple as you think. According to the latest Department of Workforce Development’s jobs report, which doesn’t adjust for seasonal employment, Door County had a 4.4% unemployment rate and Kewaunee County’s was 3%. Opportunity Wisconsin’s program director, Meghan Roh says she doesn’t think the term “labor shortage” covers the nuance of the situation. Roh also disputes the thoughts that enhanced unemployment benefits were the driver in some employees not returning to work and that ending them doesn’t guarantee a surge in employment. Roh adds there are systemic reasons you may have to choose between the workforce and staying at home that we have the opportunity to address. 

 

 

Roh also notes that having to make the decision between affordable and unaffordable health insurance can also be a workforce deterrent, which she hopes is addressed in Congress. Door County’s unemployment rate was at its 2021 peak in February, when it was at 7.5%. Roh says that in recent data they are seeing disputes that ending unemployment benefits helped states that did it months ago. She looks forward to seeing the long-term data now that the benefits have ended nationally. 

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