First off, I can’t believe nobody groaned at me about my Worldwide Pants comment in yesterday’s blog. Not only was it pertinent to my snarky comments about David Letterman, it also happens to be the name of his entertainment company. However I found it hilarious.
Anyways…
Two studies showed up on my electronic doorstep today, together they paint an interesting picture of the current war for talent.
According to a survey of 2000 employers by Manpower, the ten hardest jobs to fill are as follows:
- Engineers
- Nurses
- Skilled/manual trades
- Teachers
- Sales representatives
- Technicians
- Drivers
- Information Technology staff
- Laborers
- Machinists/machine operators
As I have been saying for over a decade, although much of the attention goes to the “white collar” jobs (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8), nearly half of these jobs are blue collar/manufacturing jobs. Even as these workers are being cut out of our economy, stuff still gets made here in the states, and then has to be driven to wherever they are going to get sold.
According to Salary.com, 53% of today’s companies have frozen wages, 52% are conducting layoffs, and 78% are modifying their h.r. policies. Worst data-point; the average merit increases given this year are 1.5-2%. Assuming that the worst performer receives .5% and the top performer maxes out at 2%, the difference in wages for the best and worst performers is $750 per year for the average worker.
How long do you think a hi-po (high performer) will want to continue giving 121% discretionary effort when all they can do with the differential in pay is buy a latte at Starbucks?
I’m off to Minnesota on Sunday to give the opening keynote address at the MN State SHRM conference, and then to Wisconsin for a three hour pre-conference workshop and two break-out sessions.
Life is good! And since I haven’t asked in a while… Are you living your dreams?
