CHICAGO – Sept. 11, 2018 – Historic low jobless rates are impacting the ability of US employers to attract and retain a workforce. To learn more about the effect of the unemployment rate on businesses – specifically those with an hourly production workforce – the non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) conducted a survey of employers finding that 67% are experiencing difficulty.
The top reasons manufacturing employers are having trouble hiring: low wages; younger generations are going to colleges and universities instead of entering the workforce; and greater competition due to more companies entering the manufacturing industry.
“To overcome these challenges, employers must get creative with their benefits packages to improve recruitment and retention efforts,” said Cheryl Larson, MBGH president and CEO. “According to our survey, the most common benefit enhancements being offered are leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, reward and recognition programs and creative shift scheduling."
Employers are implementing strategies such as shift sharing in four hour shifts to attract stay-at-home moms; moving maintenance shifts to nighttime hours, so the employee can get in and get the job done with little distractions; and lowering the threshold for full benefits for people who may not want to work full-time.
Additional survey findings include:
- Almost 30% of respondents said they have turnover rates of more than 15%
- The breakdown for average age of the workforce -- 50% are 41-50, 27%, are 31-40 , 13% are 51-60 and 7% are 20-30
- The majority (91%) of hourly workers work a traditional five-day work week
- Progressive wage structure is a popular incentive, with 73% reporting policies in place related to time in position
The full online survey results can found here.
About the Midwest Business Group on Health
MBGH is one of the nation’s leading non-profit employer coalitions of 130 mid, large and jumbo self-funded public and private employers, representing over 4 million lives and annually spending over $4.5 billion on health care. Members consist of leading health benefit professionals, with activities focused on education, research, benchmarking and community-based initiatives that increase the value of health benefits and health care services. MBGH is a founding member of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. www.mbgh.org
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