Originally Posted by
YVR Cockroach
Looks like those who have been working low-pay jobs are moving. Friend has a son who graduated high school this year and was working in some beverage joint. Not going for tertiary education and decided that beverage job wasn't worth it (one trigger was his boss calling him to ask why he didn't show up for work - reason: mandated self-isolation because coworker tested positive for COVID). Did some research and looks like bar tending may be his gig. Started as a bar back (preps all the stuff for the bar tender) and on his 1st weekend (2 weekend night shifts) made more money than his mother does teaching a community college course and has no prep or out-of-class work to do either.
Good story/example. It does seem like a lot of people took advantage of the last 18 months to re-assess and move to the next step faster than they normally would have. It's normal movement, just speeded up. It's definitely a part of the overall explanation of why entry-level jobs are lacking workers right now. And to your last point, there's a debate going on in our community forum right now about tipping for appliance delivery. One side says tip between $20-$50 per person, with the reasons being they work hard and don't make much money. The other side points out that they make between $75k-$125k in our area, which is more than many jobs that work hard and don't receive tips - even many college degree jobs like an accountant. Not to get off topic, I wonder if people are starting to realize how much trade jobs pay and investing a year in trade school rather than working as a server to save for college. A friend's son decided to go to welding school instead of college recently because of the demand and pay for welders -- he's likely one of those people who would have filled a server or retail job during the summer or even during the school year.