Get ready to go from a candidate puddle to a candidate pool now that unemployment payments are ending. It might not be a tremendous surge of potential dental, medical, optometry and other healthcare candidates right away; they could steadily trickle through to HR.
It could help fill the gap that many practices and offices experience resulting from the last year and a half’s struggle with COVID-19 related issues.
Keep in mind; however, there are some points to consider, and caveats related to more potential candidates on the horizon. The best course of action is to be prepared and know what to expect in the next few months.
The Effects of Unemployment Payments Ending
It’s been a rough road for both employees and employers. However, many medical-related practices have suffered a drastic shortage of qualified candidates in fields such as chiropractic, optometry, and dental.
The total of unemployed Americans is currently around seven million. Those troublesome figures bring with them a sense of urgency to get the best, most qualified candidates as soon as possible, before they find employment elsewhere.
On Labor Day of 2021, payments ceased for unemployed workers, with some also witnessing an end to their state-related aid. Many of those individuals collected $300 per month intended to help them survive the massive closures of businesses and extensive layoffs resulting from the complex events that have taken place over the last 18 months.
Due to the current end of unemployment payments to those affected directly by COVID-19, there will likely be an influx of resumes and job applications for these fields in the coming weeks and months. That means practices need to get ready to hire the right people to fill open positions.
So, what should the nation expect from those payments ending? For now, it can mean the economy takes
a nosedive while slowly removing them. It could also be like the initial onset of COVID-19 when mass closures took place. Keep in mind that the unemployment figures from 2020 were more significant than the Great Depression. The country could plunge into hardship once more, temporarily or not, until these individuals figure out how to proceed and slowly rejoin the workforce.
That means those millions face a dilemma in paying their bills and making ends meet. These individuals are also hunting for good jobs with benefits, and many could return to similar positions they held previously in the healthcare field. Therefore, it’s essential to have an HR department able to handle a possible influx of applications, and to ensure that potential and current employees are aware of any rules and regulations in the workplace in the process.
What Employers Can Expect Regarding Hiring and Why
Initially, the move to end unemployment was enacted to help struggling companies in various industries. The thinking is that those collecting unemployment from both the federal and state governments would need to work once again, thus filling vacant positions.
While that school of thought seems logical, many argue that other factors to consider include the transition from unemployed to employed is slower than initially expected. Some complications could include difficulty finding and paying for childcare, inability to seek work that is in-office because of factors related to COVID, and potential housing and transportation issues people face while still trying to get on their feet.
An Increase in the Candidate Pool, But Lingering Effects
Regarding employers, they should gear up for the slow uptick in applications and qualified individuals looking for positions. Having a reliable HR service that can provide you with the tools to find and hire the best talent is the best way to ensure you get suitable matches to fill those open positions. HR for Health provides those critical tools and also ensures each client receives the essential features and services available.
It’s worth mentioning that there are a few exemptions to this rule, because judges ordered the program extension for Maryland, Arkansas, and Indiana. While employment in those states increased by 4.4 percent, there was also a reduction in household spending, which directly affects the economy. Some are rallying support to provide extended aid, but those efforts seem to gather little steam on Capitol Hill.
Medical-related practices should stay informed about the current news and trends related to employment and COVID-19 regulations by using a reliable and versatile HR provider. Schedule an HR consultation with HR for Health today and see how they can make these transitions seamless.
