MEDFORD — As businesses continue to deal with staffing shortages, many are offering more money per hour in hopes of finding and retaining the much-needed help. In Medford, the beloved Donut Country is offering $17 per hour after three or four weeks of training in hopes of doing just that.
Jamie Stewart, a longtime employee for Donut Country and the daughter-in-law to owner Susan Stewart, explained the business has always offered more than what the state’s current minimum wage does, but they have never seen a lack of candidates since pandemic restrictions eased in the beginning of 2021.
“It is very hard work,” Stewart said. “We are physically running through here all morning long because we want to make sure our drive-thru goes as fast as possible, but we want to make sure efficient and that we are always friendly to the customers because that is what we are known for.”
As of July 1, in the state of Oregon, the standard minimum wage is $13.50. In the Portland Metro area, it is $14.75 and $12.50 in nonurban Counties. In Southern Oregon, nonurban counties include Curry, Klamath and Lake County.
Even with the small business offering $17 an hour, Stewart said it has been a challenge to find reliable help.
“Usually we would get 70 plus applications per one position that we would have available. Now I have had a fryer position open for four or five months now and I have maybe got a handful of people,” Stewart said.
She said there have been several times where people go through...
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