With large-scale companies like Amazon, Gannett and Bed Bath and Beyond announcing layoffs recently, employees are growing increasingly concerned about job security. However, experts say that Arizona is not following this trend.
Blake Quinlan of Express Employment Professionals, a top global staffing firm, says Arizona has only seen one major layoff in the last two years (Carvana) and business growth is not slowing down anytime soon.
“We are back to pre-pandemic unemployment rates,” said Quinlan. “Unless labor participation rates drastically increase, we are going to remain in the same candidate-driven market.”
In the most recent Rich States, Poor States analysis from the American Legislative Exchange Council, Arizona received the highest ranking in the country, number one, for economic performance. The analysis ranked the state number 3 in the country for economic outlook with North Carolina taking second and Utah in first.
Arizona’s positive economic outlook and performance, positions job seekers to be in the drivers seat and provides opportunities to make career changes, get raises and ask for more flexible schedules.
“Now is the time to be honest about what you’re looking for,” said Quinlan. “The employee supply just isn’t there.”
What does the current hiring trends mean for employers? Quinlan says hiring staff need to lower their expectations when it comes to skill sets, for example, hiring a person with only two of three qualifications but with a willingness to grow. He says they can also explore reskilling, or helping employees develop new skills in order to take a different position within the organization.
“Employers need to take a look at why people stay,” Quinlan says. “They need to have honest conversations about why people left. It can be uncomfortable but it is cheaper to retain employees than hire new ones.”
Express Employment Professionals franchises in the Valley are in Chandler, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix (Central), Phoenix (Southeast), Phoenix (South), Scottsdale and Tempe.
Express Employment Professionals is in the business of people. It connects job seekers to client companies in order to help people thrive and businesses grow. Through an international network of franchises, it offers localized staffing solutions to communities across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The company provides a full range of employment solutions including full-time, temporary, and part-time employment in a wide range of positions such as professional, office services and light industrial. In 2022, it was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers.
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