Incentivizing the workforce

As the need for workers continues to rise, employers are using incentives and signing bonuses to attract employees.

“I’ve seen up to $1,000 in sign-on bonuses for people who are willing to take a job and stay for some period of time,” Longstreet said.

The incentives are not limited to the restaurant industry. Palace Entertainment spokesman Nick Paradise, whose company operates Kennywood Park, Idlewild & SoakZone and Sandcastle Water Park, said the parks offer seasonal employees a bonus of $1.25 for every hour worked during the summer if the employee fulfills his or her obligation.

“We are in a tight, competitive labor market right now, coupled with consumer demand like the experiences we offer,” Paradise said. “We recognized that we needed to do more to make sure we are getting a good quantity and quality of applicants.”

The three amusement parks comprise the largest youth employer in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with Summer 2021 at about 2,000 employees, and 26% between the ages of 16 and 17, Paradise said.

“We have certainly seen a lot more applications come in,” Paradise said. “We offer a wide variety of positions. It’s a great way to get your foot in the industry. I’ve seen people that started in cotton candy or other entry-level roles work their way up in

the attractions industry.”

Earlier this year, Palace Entertainment granted job applicants four complimentary season passes to the parks, valued at about $75 per pass. The parks also host multiple appreciation activities, meals and game nights for employees.

Savannah Berardi, 20, of Irwin enjoys the bonuses provided to her and fellow workers at Idlewild.

“The first 10 shifts you work, you receive a $100 gift card,” Berardi explained, with options including Target, Giant Eagle, Amazon and GetGo. “For working five hours or more on July 16, 17 or 18, you can get a $25 gift card, and I'm scheduled for all three.

“I think it's a really good idea,” Berardi said. “We've been having issues with people calling off, so this encourages people to come to work more. I'm hoping it gets people to come and work instead of us having to beg people.”

Before working with the amusement park, Berardi spent five years at the Murrysville Dunkin'

Donuts. After returning home from Florida Gulf Coast University because of the pandemic, the PennTrafford graduate went back to work at Dunkin.

“(Dunkin') taught me a lot of people and social skills. I was pretty shy before starting to work, and it brought me out of my shell,” Berardi said. “I learned how to be accountable and reliable. I think I've only called off twice throughout all my years of working.”

According to Longstreet, the decade of the 2020s is predicted to experience the smallest growth in the workingage population in 120 years. That inevitably will impact all sectors of the economy, he said.

“Teens have an impact on the industry because they are willing to come in and work jobs that not everyone is willing to work in,” Longstreet said. “It's a win-win scenario. It gives a young person an opportunity to make some money, get good work experience, and it helps fill the labor gap that we are facing.”