Dependable help wanted
Employee turnover a top concern for area employers
By Katherine Peters STAFF WRITER

On the front line at Taco Bell on Hull Street Road is Ebonne Walker in her first job. She is working fulltime in the summer and plans to work weekends at the restaurant when school starts in the fall.

Turnover is the number one employment issue for area businesses, according to a new survey by the Chesterfield Business Council.

It's not a crisis, however. Overall, the survey indicated businesses rate the county's workforce and overall business environment as good. (See story, page 7.)

Even restaurants and cafs that offer temporary and part-time positions are looking for people who can stay beyond summer or at least come back during school breaks.

"Turnover is 100 percent a year," Wendy's Manager Chris Coleman said of his location on Midlothian Turnpike near Chesterfield Towne Center, explaining why his store is usually hiring year-round like many other area fast food chains.

Just under half (48 percent) of the companies surveyed by the business council indicated their employment needs were increasing, while 51 percent reported workforce needs are stable. Besides turnover, employers appeared most concerned about the availability of workers.

County high school students here are rated high-but not perfect-by their employers, with the biggest issue being "work ethic" such as attendance by younger workers.

Michael Procter, manager for the new San Francisco Bread Co. in Midlothian, points out that turnover in all restaurants is high, whether at a coffee/sandwich shop like San Francisco Bread Co. or more typical fast food chains. "Right now it's about finding the right people," Procter said.

What keeps employees? Kathryn Dixon, 17, who worked at Panera Bread last summer, returned at the conclusion of the school year. "I wanted to work there because the customer service is excellent, it's a clean environment, and it's good fast food," she said. "I'm still there because I've had a good experience."

Although some managers declined to give Chesterfield Observer their starting pay, employees and others say most fast food restaurants pay between $6.50 and $7 an hour for beginners, including Burger King, Jersey Mike's Subs and Panera Bread. Minimum wage in Virginia is $5.15.

Age plays into pay rates, as does experience, according to McDonald's Derrick Waller. He advises 15-year-olds to expect close to minimum wage, which is lower than what is paid for those later in high school and older.

While some restaurants are still hiring people specifically for summer, such as Chick-fil-A in Chesterfield Towne Center, others (such as Arby's and Jersey Mike's Subs) are looking forward to fall when talking with potential new employees.

"The end of summer is really when we're hiring," said Chris McNeal, a manager for Jersey Mike's Subs. He says many students who began working there in high school and are now in college still come back for summer work, leaving a void when school begins again.