Councillors in our Shire and in so many others get asked by residents why are staff turning over so quickly?
Earlier this year Moyne Shire Council CEO Bill Mallard who had been commenting on the difficulties of local government staffing stated “some roles are very hard to recruit and we are not on our own there.”
Last week it was reported that In Victoria, the jobless rate fell to less than 4.1 per cent – the lowest since 1974.
There is discussion on “the Great Resignation” with one survey showing almost 40% of staff plan to move jobs over the next 12 months. Covid time at home has resulted in a fundamental rethink of the future and a reassessment of priorities. For others time at home possibly has created restlessness to experience change. For others again, Covid was a reminder of uncertainty and an encouragement not to put off things they want to do. Some see added opportunity to move around in the workforce adding to their employability. A growing number want to better balance work and home priorities.
Rural councils struggle to attract specialist skills like engineers, town planners, environmental health and safety officers and municipal building surveyors who issue building permits.
Our CEO will continue to work hard to attract and retain quality staff. We are fortunate to have some fantastic staff. The reality is they are making a great contribution while with us, but for some it won’t be a long time. We need to accept a changing work paradigm.
