New World Order?

If you listen to the show, follow the blog or have participated in any of our webinar sessions via thealbertinstitute.com, then you already know how I spend the majority of my days.  Basically, I do two things: 1. Counsel job seekers; 2. Strategize with employers.  This work has proven to me that there is a serious disconnect between job seekers and employers.

Comments from job seekers typically go something like this:

"I'm too old; nobody wants to hire me."
"I don't have the experience most employers are looking for."
"My former felony prevents me from working."
"I'm an African-American woman, and most employers do not give me a chance."

Meanwhile, the employers says:

"People do not want to work."
"Only 1/3 of the interviews I schedule actually show up for the interview."
"People I hire only work until they get their first check then I never see them again."
"I can not find motivated people; some of my employees don't even call when they take off work."
"I can train a worker to do the job if that worker is willing to show up for work."

I heard another Pittsburgh talk show host interview a representative from an energy company.  That rep said about half of every 100 interviews they schedule will show up for the interview.  Of that half, maybe 10 can pass the drug test.  A friend of mine, who happens to be a superintendent for a Pittsburgh-area school district, tells me that some of his staff will take a day off but never call in sick...teachers included!  They return to work the next day as if nothing ever happened.

On the flip side, employers are sticking it to the worker.  Make no mistake about it...workers are being mistreated.  We have people in our career center who refuse to apply for jobs because they are earning more money on unemployment.  My first reaction to this is to be upset with the job seekers.  However, we are talking about people who have 20+ years into their most recent job.  One lady was earning close to $25 per hour, and she is now receiving offers at $8 or $9 per hour.  How can anyone expect her to take that step backwards.  A friend of mine who is a marketing specialist cannot secure employment.  Despite the fact that she is brilliant, speaks multiple languages and has years of experience with a prominent Pittsburgh company, the offers she receives are lousy.  Recently, she was offered a position as a marketing director at one of Pittsburgh's largest and most respected non-profit organizations.  Starting salary was $23,000 per year!  With a child already in college and one getting ready to go, my friend's choice was to stay on unemployment.

So what is to be done?  Honestly, is there a solution in sight?  Mitt Romney, in last week's acceptance address at the RNC, told a proud story about the worker earning $22 per hour in a previous job who now has to work two $10 per hour jobs to make ends meet.  Former President Bill Clinton, at this week's DNC, said American workers need to prepare for the new economy.  Is this the New World order we all read about in the 1990's?  It's obvious that both job seekers are employers need to give and take a little.  I have some additional thoughts on the matter, but I would like to start the discussion be hearing from others.  What do you all think?