WASHINGTON (TND) — Hiring right now is tough, so cities and states are getting creative.
In response to the labor shortage, many are making bold moves to fill positions, including changing the rules for teen employment.
Michigan just became the latest state to allow 17-year-olds to serve alcohol at bars and restaurants. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill, hoping to help struggling businesses.
"I know our businesses in northern Michigan and other tourist areas will benefit tremendously from the signing of this bill,” said Scott Ellis, executive director for the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association said.
In New Jersey, 17-year-olds can now work up to 50 hours a week during the summer.
At the local level, cities across the country are turning to civilians for public safety. Baltimore police are adding civilian employees to do some police work, including working on cold cases.
“It helps us with speed and frequency, we can get to cases faster and we can get to more cases at the same time by adding this capacity,” said Baltimore police commissioner Michael Harrison.
New York City will allow first responders to work as lifeguards.
“If you can't recruit lifeguards, we can't open the beaches and pools. You can't do the training classes for kids in the summer it has become a tremendous challenge for the city and for the citizens of New York,” said Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37.
But long-term solutions are needed to solve the labor shortage, including...
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