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“ If employers are having trouble hiring people because their unemployment benefits pay them more than the job, the employers need to raise the wages they are paying for the job. True 'dat.”.

Yes! And... if they can’t afford to pay their employees a living wage, they need to rethink their business model, reevaluate monetary distribution within the company, or examine their own moral compass. Or maybe all of the above.

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And we need to bear in mind always that there are very few reputable economists who believe the lie that higher unemployment benefits are a major driver of the low return of workers. The lack of childcare, uncertainty about school re-openings, and fear of exposure to Covid in the workplace are all more salient factors. One stat that should drive this point home is the fact that recent job gains ALL went to men. Because in our misogynist society women are assumed to be responsible for childcare and schooling, and because they are grossly over-represented among those who work jobs that have not yet come back, they are re-entering the job market is much lower numbers. That has nothing to do with expanded unemployment benefits. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/about-275-000-women-left-workforce-january-critical-pandemic-trend-n1256942

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Many hospitality and restaurant workers transitioned to working in other industries. Finding the pay and benefits superior, they aren’t returning to their old jobs in the service industry. Wages must go up and if that means higher prices, so be it.

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Many restaurants pay a paltry wage, sometimes less than $5.00 and have their servers count on tips to bring them up to even the minimum wage. This is unconscionable. No wonder they left for other jobs.

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Much of Europe has done away with tipping. We would do well to imitate them.

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And too many restaurants steal tip money earned by staff, not the owner or manager. Unconscionable.

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Add to that the number of people who changed career fields in the face of what working in the immediate aftermath of pandemic quarantine might give them...

Men have gone back to work. Women are finding that much more difficult as there are both child care/home school issues to deal with. You are spot on that many of the jobs yet to come back are for women as well.

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Who said “If your business model depends on paying your employees a low wage (less than $15/hour, you don’t have a viable business model.”

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I know, right? I don't think they realize how patently absurd it is to think $1200 a month leaves someone in such a luxurious position that they don't have to work. $300 a week is $7.50 an hour if you're full time. If you can't compete with that, shame on you.

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Good question, Jean. I dunno . . . a capitalist?

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