67% of Inns Surveyed by the American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation Report Staffing Shortages

Greater than 80% of motels are boosting wages to rent and retain employees

As greater than two thirds of motels proceed to expertise staffing shortages, hoteliers are providing extra pay and a number of incentives in an effort to entice and retain expertise, in response to a brand new survey carried out by the American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA).

During the last six months, 82% % of respondents have elevated wages, which hit a report excessive common for motels in December 2023. As well as, 59% are providing higher flexibility with hours, and 33% are increasing advantages. Nonetheless, 72% say they’re nonetheless unable to fill open positions.

Sixty-seven % of survey respondents mentioned they’re experiencing a staffing scarcity, and 12% mentioned they’re “severely understaffed,” that means the scarcity is affecting their skill to function. Probably the most vital staffing want is housekeeping, with 48% rating it as their high hiring want.

These numbers are an enchancment from Could 2023, when 82% of survey respondents indicated they had been experiencing a staffing scarcity.

Respondents to the latest survey are trying to fill a median of 9 positions per property, almost unchanged from Could 2023 however up from the seven vacancies per property common in January 2023.

Ongoing staffing challenges are leading to historic profession alternatives for lodge staff. There are greater than 70,000 lodge jobs at the moment open throughout the nation, in response to Certainly, and as of December 2023, nationwide common lodge wages had been at an all-time excessive of $23.91 per hour, in response to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Moreover, common lodge wages have elevated sooner than common wages all through the final financial system for the reason that pandemic, and lodge advantages and adaptability are higher than ever.

“The lodge workforce state of affairs is slowly enhancing because of record-high common wages and higher advantages and upward mobility than ever earlier than,” mentioned AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “However nationwide labor shortages are stopping hoteliers from filling tens of 1000’s of jobs, and that drawback will weigh closely on our members till Congress takes motion. We urge lawmakers to deal with this pressing challenge by creating an H-2B returning employee exemption, passing the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, and passing the H-2 Enhancements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act.”

As of December, america had 9 million job openings, however solely 6.3 million unemployed individuals to fill them, in response to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Congress may also help hoteliers tackle workforce shortages by taking the next actions:

• Increasing and streamlining the authorized H-2B guestworker program. The H-2B program is significant to serving to unbiased motels and resorts in distant trip locations fill seasonal roles, however this system is capped at 66,000 visas every year. Exempting returning employees from this insufficient cap would assist hoteliers rent staff who can present vital staffing aid for seasonal small enterprise motels and assist rebuild the post-pandemic financial system.
• Cosponsor and cross the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act (S. 255/H.R.1325). A historic variety of asylum seekers are already housed in motels throughout America. They’re awaiting court docket dates and are following the authorized course of. Sadly, present legislation prevents them from legally working for a minimum of six months, forcing them to depend on help from native governments and communities. This bipartisan laws would assist motels tackle vital staffing wants by permitting asylum seekers to work as quickly as 30 days after making use of for asylum.
• Cosponsor and cross the H-2 Enhancements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act. This invoice would develop the H-2A/H-2B labor certification interval to a few years and completely authorize the waiver of in-person interviews for returning employees. The HIRE Act would make it simpler for certified employees to safe jobs in fields which are struggling to recruit and retain sufficient staff to fulfill demand.

Methodology 
AHLA’s Entrance Desk Suggestions survey of 408 hoteliers was carried out Jan. 8-18, 2024.