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Poll results

Sponsored by: OTELCO

While Maine's progress in combating COVID-19 has allowed businesses to reopen, finding workers to keep them open is another matter.

In the hospitality field, in the forest products industry, and in many other sectors, the state faces a potentially crippling labor shortage. Growing Maine's workforce has never been easy, but the challenges today are particularly tough.

Labor shortages are affecting other parts of the country as well. There's a wide variety of explanations for the hiring crunch. If your theory isn't described below, please share it in a comment.

(This survey has been gratefully adapted from one published in a Mainebiz sister publication, the Worcester Business Journal.)

What's the No. 1 reason for the lack of qualified workers to fill the labor shortage in Maine?
The ongoing danger of COVID-19 still makes Mainers wary of returning to work. (4%, 19 VOTES)
The pandemic has forced Mainers to leave the state's workforce — for example, by moving or retiring. (3%, 16 VOTES)
New unemployment benefits created as emergency relief are a disincentive for workers to work. (66%, 354 VOTES)
The federal government hasn't granted enough visas for foreign workers to fill their usual seasonal jobs. (11%, 57 VOTES)
Maine doesn't offer enough education and training for new workers. (5%, 26 VOTES)
The lack of affordable child care in Maine is growing worse. (12%, 62 VOTES)
Poll Description

Sponsored by: OTELCO

While Maine's progress in combating COVID-19 has allowed businesses to reopen, finding workers to keep them open is another matter.

In the hospitality field, in the forest products industry, and in many other sectors, the state faces a potentially crippling labor shortage. Growing Maine's workforce has never been easy, but the challenges today are particularly tough.

Labor shortages are affecting other parts of the country as well. There's a wide variety of explanations for the hiring crunch. If your theory isn't described below, please share it in a comment.

(This survey has been gratefully adapted from one published in a Mainebiz sister publication, the Worcester Business Journal.)

  • 534 Votes
  • 14 Comments
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14 Comments

  • June 3, 2021

    An old boss once told me, "First you have to want to..." Right now there seems to be more reasons to not work than to put some effort into working. There was a time when people put pride into the job they did, not just for the money but because it meant something to have a purpose to life.

  • June 3, 2021

    I believe the shortage is due to a below living wage. We are now paid the same as McDonald's workers (or as I was told in training: same as cafeteria workers), yet are required a college degree and hours of additional training. Plus McDonalds gives free food.

  • Donald Cynewski
    June 3, 2021

    This isn't just Maine it is nationwide and the one consistent issue nationwide is the government giving our money to people allowing them to stay home and build a garage instead of going to work. Many states are ending the extra $300, New Hampshire is doing that plus adding money to people on unemployment who get a job. It is unfortunate that the Governor in Maine is not doing something, many businesses are struggling to find people this will hurt our tourism industry

  • June 3, 2021

    Lets not forget the new child tax credit. I know several families that will be getting $12K - $16k when done.

  • John E Brandt
    June 2, 2021

    All of the above. Depends on the industry, part of the state, and age of worker. I've seen all of these factors occurring. It would be nice to see some real data and research on this rather than hearing from politicos looking to score points with their various "bases."