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Meanwhile, employers don’t want it to be too valuable or else they’re just training people to work somewhere else. Or pay them what their worth so they don't l

Meanwhile, employers don’t want it to be too valuable or else they’re just training people to work somewhere else. Or pay them what their worth so they don't look for greener pastures. Having skilled employees is an asset.

maxerickson 8y ago
I like to focus on this point. The unwillingness to train provides some indication about the labor market, that it isn't all that tight.
lotsofpulp 8y ago
If consumers don't show a willingness to pay for skilled employees, then it isn't an asset. In low margin, low skill businesses such as retail for everyday items, there simply isn't much value to be provided other than stocking shelves, keeping the place clean, keeping an eye out for theft, occasionally telling people where things are, and scanning items at check out. I stay at Hilton hotels and they frequently have digital keys that use phone to open the hotel door. I don't even interact with any staff, just use the app and I'm out and in at my own leisure. Some businesses are just skirting the line between do we invest in employees or automate things, and of course automating things is the preferred option.
- Avshalom 8y ago
  consumers don't always have the ability or the option to discriminate based on employee pay. And the lower you are the less you can discriminate which creates a vicious cycle because you are almost certainly in the same boat as the employees at $low_wage_employer.
  - lotsofpulp 8y ago
    People might not have been aware that by choosing to shop at Walmart and Home Depot, they would help create this cycle, but we're firmly in it and there's no way out. Anyone that tries to train and reward employees more than necessary is not going to survive as a busines, especially in retail. Retail and other business that deal with the public also have the problem that people are a pain in the ass from the whole "customer is always right" attitude. No one with options is going to choose to work in retail, so they will always be scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of employee talent.
    - maxerickson 8y ago
      Organize Walmart labor. Difficult. Probably not impossible (they are already employing the sliver of people willing to accept the hours and pay and not immediately able to obtain a better job).

maxerickson 8y ago

I like to focus on this point. The unwillingness to train provides some indication about the labor market, that it isn't all that tight.

lotsofpulp 8y ago

If consumers don't show a willingness to pay for skilled employees, then it isn't an asset. In low margin, low skill businesses such as retail for everyday items, there simply isn't much value to be provided other than stocking shelves, keeping the place clean, keeping an eye out for theft, occasionally telling people where things are, and scanning items at check out. I stay at Hilton hotels and they frequently have digital keys that use phone to open the hotel door. I don't even interact with any staff, just use the app and I'm out and in at my own leisure. Some businesses are just skirting the line between do we invest in employees or automate things, and of course automating things is the preferred option.

Avshalom 8y ago
consumers don't always have the ability or the option to discriminate based on employee pay. And the lower you are the less you can discriminate which creates a vicious cycle because you are almost certainly in the same boat as the employees at $low_wage_employer.
- lotsofpulp 8y ago
  People might not have been aware that by choosing to shop at Walmart and Home Depot, they would help create this cycle, but we're firmly in it and there's no way out. Anyone that tries to train and reward employees more than necessary is not going to survive as a busines, especially in retail. Retail and other business that deal with the public also have the problem that people are a pain in the ass from the whole "customer is always right" attitude. No one with options is going to choose to work in retail, so they will always be scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of employee talent.
  - maxerickson 8y ago
    Organize Walmart labor. Difficult. Probably not impossible (they are already employing the sliver of people willing to accept the hours and pay and not immediately able to obtain a better job).