Employers are adjusting to a continued tight labor market, both locally and statewide.
For months, Kansas and area counties have had relatively low unemployment. That was certainly borne out in the October monthly report, where statewide unemployment was at 3.3 percent and both Emporia and Lyon County had jobless rates dip below 3 percent.
It’s an interesting time for both job seekers and business owners alike, according to Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas President Kent Heermann.
Heermann says some employers are taking unprecedented steps to keep their workers on board in the face of so-called “job-jumping,” including weekly bonuses just for showing up to work.
While the labor market is tight now, Heermann cautions things will likely change at some point — using the liquidation of Hostess six years ago as an example.
Emporia’s jobless rates spiked at that time and also after the Tyson layoffs a decade ago. Currently, unemployment is at 2.9 percent for both Emporia and Lyon County.
Heermann acknowledges the lingering question of whether people may be underemployed. He says people do need to take steps ahead of time, including enhanced skills, degrees or specialized training, to “add value” for employers and position themselves for higher wages.
