One of the terms to be coined during the COVID-19 pandemic was "the great resignation." Essentially, the pandemic spurred a wave of resignations from employees in a wide range of sectors – including local government.
This has left employers with vacant positions that are becoming more and more difficult to fill. And for local governments, the challenge hasn’t gotten easier since the pandemic ended. Here are some reasons municipal governments continue to struggle to fill vacant positions:
Although reaching the burnout phase can happen in any job situation, local government workers, especially in roles like social services, public health, and emergency response, have faced increased workloads and stress, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout has led many to leave for less stressful or more flexible roles.
Another issue isn’t just resignations; it’s retirements. A significant portion of the local government workforce is older, and many are choosing to retire. The allure of retiring at a younger age, free from the stress of work, is undeniably attractive. However, this early retirement trend is creating a labor shortage as experienced workers leave, and there aren't enough younger workers to fill their roles.
Remember career day in high school? How many of your classmates said, "I am going to research a career in local government." Unfortunately, the answer is most likely none. Local government positions often have limited career growth opportunities compared to private companies. Younger workers may leave for sectors where advancement is quicker.
A few years ago, the dream of being able to work from home was only an opportunity provided to top-level employees. But now the private sector has increasingly adopted flexible work arrangements, like remote work, which local governments may need to be faster to offer. This can push workers to seek more flexible environments. It is not unusual for an applicant to complete the job hiring process and decide that it just isn't something they want and don't even show up for the first day.
The world of local government affects employees mentally because they face intense scrutiny, particularly in politically charged climates. The pressure, combined with sometimes limited resources, can make the job less appealing. The mental challenge that comes with public service can be less than attractive to some.
The days of feeling fulfilled in your municipal employment are a thing of the past. As the labor market becomes more competitive, workers have more options, including higher-paying or more flexible jobs in the private sector. It's clear that we need to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to make local government jobs more appealing. It takes more than a standard job application to fill a position in today's environment.
About the Author
David L. Anthony is a member of the Keystone Municipal Solutions team of experts. He is a veteran of municipal government, having served more than 33 years in various positions of public service. Contact him at david@keystonemunicipalsolutions.com. To learn more about David and the Keystone Municipal Solutions team, click here.
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