BLUF
Businesses need to shed preconceived ideas and think laterally to recruit and retain quality people.
Summary
In December 2020 Australia had 8.5% underemployment, 6.6% unemployment and 66.2% workforce participation rates. Despite 254,400 job vacancies. This article argues 'hidden workers' are an under-utilised resource, and employers should consider making more use of the following:
- Veterans
- Older workers
- Caregivers
- The formerly incarcerated
- People with a disability
- Immigrants and refugees without locally recognised skills and qualifications.
COVID-19 has resulted in the hiring of more people in the retail, warehouse and health-care industries where many jobs do not require a high level of skill. 2021 is the time to re-evaluate hiring and retention strategies in the commercial sector and the nation's best interests. Innovative business models that remove employment barriers are needed to hire, retain, and develop good workers. Utilising the skills of the whole workforce is good for the country and good for business. Are you aware of any barriers the ADF might inadvertently have in place that makes it challenging to recruit and retain high-quality people?
References
- May 2020 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Underutilised Labour
- Dec 2020 ABC News, Disability royal commission hears about barriers to finding employment
- Dec 2020 ABC News, Disability Royal Commission hears about employment challenges
- Jan 2021 Guardian, Adelaide jobseeker felt 'powerless' when disability employment staff came to his house