Australia, insurance, car, home, live, holidays

Retailers plan to hire temporary staff for what they hope is a strong Christmas trading season.Credit:Sasha Woolley

Employers say that despite this optimism,they are preparing to have to fight harder for staff as the retail,hospitality,tourism and logistics sectors all chase a similar pool of potential workers for roles in the lead-up to Christmas and the new year.

Australia Post boss Paul Graham said the mail carrier has started recruiting seasonal workers a couple of months early,noting that the group would be competing with the major supermarkets and other transport providers for a shrinking pool of candidates.

“It is one of the toughest years I think in memory in terms of recruitment. We are doing all that we can to get that coverage,” he said.

Bricks-and-mortar store bosses say they are working hard to sell their company’s brand to prospective staff to ensure they have enough quality workers throughout their peak season.

Jewellery retailer Michael Hill is about to launch its Christmas recruitment drive,hiring 1200 people across Australia,New Zealand and Canada.

“Hiring good quality,talented people is harder than it’s ever been. We have more vacancies in our business and more challenges with rosters than we’ve ever had before,” Michael Hill chief executive Daniel Bracken said.

“We hope that our elevated brand and being associated with the Michael Hill journey will be key.”

David Jones chief executive Scott Fyfe said the department store also anticipated it would be harder to find staff,but was hopeful the department store’s brand and reputation would give it an edge.

Michael Hill chief executive Daniel Bracken says hiring staff is harder than it has ever been.Credit:James Brickwood

“It will be a challenge for us,but I think when you’re fortunate to work for a company like David Jones – this brand attracts some great people,” he said.

Other retailers that are less reliant on seasonal casuals are also watching labour market conditions closely.

Best&Less chief executive Rod Orrock said that after a period of higher team turnover throughout the pandemic,the discount clothing and homewares retailer was focused on stabilising its existing workforce in the lead-up to Christmas.

“If we can continue that level of stability,I’m hoping we won’t have to hire much,” Orrock said.

However,he noted staff shortages would affect a range of industries in coming months.

Electronics retailer Harvey Norman relies on predominantly full-time and part-time staff for its stores,and does not hire as many seasonal staff over summer as other retailers.

Chairman Gerry Harvey said finding staffwas the biggest challenge for businesses in retail and beyond.

“Everyone you talk to says the same thing,‘I need staff’,” he said.

The Australian Retailers Association on Wednesday put forward a list of priorities ahead ofThursday’s jobs and skills summit,including increasing the skilled migration intake to help fill difficult retail roles.

The group also argued that Australia should introduce a nationally consistent minimum age to start work,proposing a model where 13 to 15-year-olds could start casual roles with limits in place to ensure their education was not compromised.

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories,exclusive coverage and expert opinion.Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

License this article