Several businesses in the Paris area have “help wanted” signs posted seeking employees, however, finding these new employees has been a daunting task in itself.
According to Indeed’s website, there are more than 685 jobs available in Paris, Texas. Jobs available include everything from medical receptionist and veterinary assistant to customer service representatives for restaurants and sales associates for retail stores.
Jeff Martin, the owner of the Subways in Paris, said all of their locations continue to operate at normal hours, “but not without working them with less than normal employees, as well as with many employees that are not fully trained due to the turnover we are enduring.
“This causes many problems such as wait times being too long and sandwiches/orders going out the door wrong,” he said.
Even though the business is facing an employee shortage, Martin said he is thankful for the many employees who have worked “in the face of a deadly pandemic.
“They have stepped up and worked many hours and days of overtime while enduring the stress of trying to work a fast-paced job with not enough help around them,” he said. “I’m very thankful to those people.”
While the local Subway restaurants continue to serve during their regular hours, some businesses have faced the brute end and have made the decision to limit their hours – some by closing for additional days of the week.
Catfish King had to limit their operational hours by two days. Also limiting their menu temporarily, the locally-ran restaurant announced it will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays “due to employee shortage.
“We have made this difficult decision so we can continue to keep serving our awesome customers in the future,” the restaurant said on social media. “We will be open regular business hours Wednesday through Sunday.”
Martin said the stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment benefits sent to “help people who have had their employment affected by COVID-19, has instead left many people with extra cash in their pockets and a reason to want to be on unemployment benefits.
“In general many people have been incentivized not to have to work,” he said. “It has instead left many other people with extra cash in their pockets and a reason to want to be on unemployment benefits. The policies have simply made many people not need to work or want to work.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Martin said it was difficult for companies to find employees due to fears of working with a potentially deadly virus spreading.
“The problem became much worse as the government began sending money and enhancing unemployment benefits to be better than their normal jobs paid,” he said.
Martin suggests, moving forward, the government should adjust its focus on more incentives for employees to return to the workforce.
“Requiring employment to qualify for aid, provide employers with the tax credits, etc. to help compensate employees to return to the workplace,” he suggested.
Locally owned and operated businesses hiring include:
- Roadhouse;
- Catfish King;
- Weezy’s;
- Subway;
- Chick-fil-A;
- Burgerland;
- Popeyes;
- Chicken Express; and
- more.
If you know of a business hiring locally, let us know below.
–
Like and follow MyParisTexas.com on Facebook – Reporting local news in Paris and Lamar County, Texas.
