Increased wages, benefits and flexible schedules are among the countless benefits being offered for jobs in the struggling hospitality sector. (The Canadian Press)

By Alex Rawnsley

HELP WANTED

Nanaimo hospitality employers resorting to more creative incentives to hire & keep staff

Jul 21, 2021 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Local hotels, motels and restaurants are doing everything they can to roll out the red carpet to prospective employees, without much success.

When the industry was effectively shutdown in March 2020, countless people left in search for work with a large number transitioning into the healthcare industry, working in hospitals or long term care.

Dan Brady, executive director of the Nanaimo Hospitality Association, said everyone is hurting for employees now hotels, events and restaurants are opening up.

“Every property [in Nanaimo is] needing five to ten people, so you take that across 29 hotels and motels plus the odd bed and breakfast, we’re looking at a shortage of 300-500 people and that’s not even talking about restaurants, bars, nightclubs.”

He expects some to return once government wage subsidy ends, however many people who were working in the industry prior to the pandemic have potentially left for good.

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It’s left employers having to find more creative and expensive incentive programs to attract and retain staff. Wages in the industry have gone up substantially, with entry level positions starting well above minimum wage.

“I’ve heard of people waiving wait periods for getting onto the health and wellness program for medical and dental…they’re giving people a signing bonus, there’s gift cards being offered, there’s tour and travel incentives being offered.”

Brady added businesses are becoming increasingly willing to be flexible with hours and days of work.

“It used to be they only wanted full time employees…now it’s “you want to work two days a week? We’ll accommodate that.” Employers are being extremely accommodating now in order to try and get staff into their businesses.”

A series of job fairs are expected once safe to do so in a bid to more directly connect job seekers with employers, but Brady admitted no-one had an answer on how best to move forward.

While hardly a unique story, the situation at the Coast Nanaimo hotel has forced management into some short-term, bandaid solutions.

David McQuinn, general manager of the Coast Nanaimo hotel, convinced a friend to come out of retirement in Edmonton to offer help cook on site.

He spoke to NanaimoNewsNOW after spending a few hours in the hotel laundry, helping staff in an area where they’re particularly short and haven’t had much success in filling the hours.

“We’ve got positions posted online and we’re actively recruiting for those roles.”

McQuinn was unsure what, if any role, wage subsidy programs from the federal government were playing in the staffing shortage.

The unionized staff at the Coast are typically paid more than many hotels in the region. He’s also heard similar stories from hotels in Vancouver where the pay is even higher.

“If we’re struggling at the top of the market that just really says that there are not enough people out there looking for the roles that we’ve got posted. We’re ok with people who have never been in housekeeping before …we’ve got three or four people who have never made a guest room up in their life, all that needs is more training.”

A shortage in room attendants has forced a reduction in capacity for the 179 room hotel, with McQuinn saying they only sell what they can clean.

“I can afford to pay people overtime but they would break in two or three weeks working overtime everyday.”

Coast also reduced capacity in their restaurant to meet a smaller staff. McQuinn said the move had worked well, but their current staff would be unable to serve the entire restaurant without extra help.

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alex.rawnsley@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley