Finding enough staff to keep the doors open for the optimal number of hours is a problem in Sooke.

Britt Santowski, executive director of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, said staffing is an issue thatB次元官网网址檚 impacted many businesses.

B次元官网网址淪ome businesses have turned down events because they lack staff,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 hear that from other chambers as well. The question is how to attract staff, whether by offering benefits, a four-day work week, or more than minimum wage.B次元官网网址�

The situation is not necessarily tied to a shortage resulting from students returning to school in September.

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B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hearing that (itB次元官网网址檚 been a problem) throughout the summer,B次元官网网址� Santowski said. B次元官网网址淭he chamber could not hire students this summer, despite offering more wages than we have in the past. ItB次元官网网址檚 the first time in 40 years that itB次元官网网址檚 a job seekers market. I havenB次元官网网址檛 seen this since the mid-1980s.B次元官网网址�

Mohamed Zeid, store manager/operator of the Pharmasave in Sooke, said there are several factors to consider.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a challenge for different reasons,B次元官网网址� he explained.

B次元官网网址淚t began to show up during COVID when people with cold or flu-like symptoms were told to stay home until they were cleared to return to work. We didnB次元官网网址檛 know how many days that might be, and it caused a 30 per cent staff shortage.B次元官网网址�

Zeid said another reason for staffing issues is inflation and the high cost of living.

B次元官网网址淓ven if we pay the maximum that we can for a position, thatB次元官网网址檚 not enough to cover the cost of living for some people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e also competing with the salary range offered by non-retail employers. That has led to people we had before and during COVID seeking employment elsewhere.B次元官网网址�

The recent decision by the provincial government to expand the services that pharmacies can provide, such as filling some prescriptions, has an impact on staffing as well, Zeid added.

Linda Mayled, assistant manager at Sooke Home Hardware, said they have no issues with staffing.

B次元官网网址淲e have students who work during the summer and part-time, and we have no problem filling positions,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e treat our staff the right way, itB次元官网网址檚 a fun workplace, we pay a competitive wage, and there are always opportunities to grow.B次元官网网址�

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