Dive Brief:

• U.S. employer thirst for hiring is at an all-time high, according to ManpowerGroup. All 12 industry sectors and all four regions of the U.S. surveyed for the firm's employment outlook reported their highest hiring outlook since the survey began in 1962. For the report, employers in 43 countries and territories were asked about their hiring intentions for Q4.
• White-collar and blue-collar jobs anticipate payroll growth in the next three months, most notably: information (62%), financial services (58%), transportation & utilities (58%), construction (56%), professional and business services (54%), and wholesale and retail trade (49%).
• Hiring intentions jumped greatly within the pandemic era alone: 23% since Q3 2021 and 34% since Q4 2020.

Dive Insight:

The growth ManpowerGroup documented is noteworthy because a June 2021 report by The Conference Board confirmed labor shortages in blue-collar industries, such as transportation and supply chain, despite elevated unemployment rates.

Throughout 2021, trucking companies have been grasping at ways to draw in more talent. Sysco announced plans to open its Driver Academy, intended to boost recruitment and allow the company to turn its warehouse workers into drivers. Averitt increased driver wages, and Old Dominion Freight Line offered sign-on bonuses, as did many others.

More U.S. employers than employers from any of the other 42 countries surveyed told ManpowerGroup they’re relying on financial incentives as talent lures. That was almost half (42%) of U.S. employers surveyed, compared to the respondent average of 31% globally. Additionally, 38% of U.S. respondents are dangling the carrot of scheduling flexibility to new hires. U.S. employers surveyed are also offering non-financial benefits, such as bonus vacation days (21%).

Becky Frankiewicz, president of ManpowerGroup North America, said in a press release that the firm anticipates the hiring sprees will continue into 2022.

"Although headwinds including the delta variant and talent shortages may impact how these intentions translate to jobs created, we are still in a worker's market," Frankiewicz added. "Businesses know they have to get creative to attract and retain the best skilled talent."

The proof is in the pudding. This year, Dollar General brought on 50,000 new hires ahead of its Labor Day 2021 goal but was still looking for more workers, including truck drivers. The company announced its offer of $5,000 sign-on bonuses, along with perks like the allowal of a pet "co-pilot," to CDL drivers hired through January 2022. Likewise, Amazon bumped up its hourly pay to more than $18 as it sought 125,000 fulfillment and transportation new hires.