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The restaurant industry preps for a winter with omicron

Dec 6, 2021
Spending is still down, prices are up and owners are worried about how the variant will affect business.
Amid the continued spread of the coronavirus, spending at restaurants is still below pre-pandemic levels.
Scott Olson via Getty Images

Small-business owners are struggling with their supply chains. But they're more optimistic.

Sep 14, 2021
The National Federation of Independent Business reports nearly half of small businesses surveyed raised prices in August.
Supply chain hiccups are translating into higher prices at small businesses, including some stores that sell eyewear.
Philippe Huguen/AFP via Getty Images

A record number of job openings, but only so-so on the hiring front

Sep 8, 2021
In some sectors, there aren’t enough job openings, like in construction, education and the arts. And in others, there are too many, like food servic
The number of hires has plateaued.
Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Workers want better pay and incentives, and businesses are responding

Aug 18, 2021
The response, however, has led to a shift in the workforce where people are still leaving for even better-paying jobs. Small businesses are trying to keep up.
Many small businesses are realizing they have to compete with the amount of money people are receiving in unemployment benefits if they want to fill empty positions.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

States that dropped $300 weekly unemployment benefits didn't see hiring boost

Jul 28, 2021
A new study says vaccination rates are a bigger incentive to look for work than the loss of the weekly payments.
On average, unemployment benefits for laid-off workers are expected to be much less.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Chocolate shop has plenty of business but not enough staff

Jul 23, 2021
Dean's Sweets in Portland, Maine, has had "crazy growth," but it's competing with other local businesses for employees.
The interior of Dean's Sweets in downtown Portland, Maine.
Courtesy of Kristin Thalheimer Bingham

Some teachers say they're too burned out to teach summer school

Jul 7, 2021
Some programs are offering bonuses to try to lure teachers back to the classroom this summer.
What might that mean for teacher retention in the fall?
Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Labor shortage? Wage data sends mixed signals.

Jul 2, 2021
Wages across the board would rise amid a widespread labor shortage, one economist says. But we're seeing pockets of wage growth.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Bonuses may be key to enticing people back to the workforce

Jun 29, 2021
At least 10 states have started offering return-to-work bonuses, as have many employers, as workers look for incentives.
A man fills out an application for a hospitality job during a Zislis Group job fair in Torrance, California, on June 23. Employers at the job fair offered hiring incentives, including a $500 signing bonus.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images