Norman Knight: Hopeful we all find our purpose, whatever that may be

A good conversation starter is to share stories of how young you were when you first worked a “real job” for pay.

For some of us, it is a source of pride to have been earning money as children. Child labor laws were simply a roadblock to those of us who were longing to join the workforce. It was not the sweat and tedium of work we enjoyed; it was the independence our meager paychecks brought.

Some neighborhood friends and I picked green beans one summer. I figure I was 12 or 13 years old. I think this because every morning before we bicycled to the fields, we stopped at a diner where we not only spent a little money on food, we dropped precious coins in the jukebox to hear “Little” Stevie Wonder wail on “Fingertips (Part 2)” which was a big radio hit in 1963-64.

Working for a living was something we kids knew we had to expect as our future. The decisions we would be required to make soon would be what jobs we would be qualified to do.

I have been thinking about my early job history as I read about what some are calling “The Great Resignation.” We are in the midst of a labor shortage. This is evident to anyone who shops, looks for services, eats out or just pays attention to the “Help Wanted” signs that plaster retail spaces everywhere.

At the same time, we are told 4 million workers quit their jobs in July 2021 and 4.3 million in August. These numbers made me curious: Why can’t employers attract workers? Why are workers not taking the jobs being offered? Why are they quitting jobs in the first place? Although even experts admit they are not sure what is going on, they all agree that — as is usually the case with situations involving human interactions — it’s complicated.

For starters, employers are beginning to understand they must change how they operate if they are going to get the workers they need. Big companies such as Bank of America and Walmart have announced wage increases, and small businesses are offering more pay and bonuses. In addition to wages, companies including Target, Walmart and Amazon are offering free tuition and textbooks to attract employees.

Working conditions for employees is another concern. Most of the jobs going unfilled are in retail, warehouse, food service and health care. These can be stressful positions with long and inconvenient hours. As much as the hourly pay, workers tell us job conditions need to be addressed.

Economists say because of the competition for workers, people are realizing they are in the position to pick and choose the most promising jobs out there. A Gallup poll shows nearly half of American workers are searching for new opportunities. And why not? If there are several jobs out there for someone with your qualifications and skills, why not opt for the most advantageous one?

My first thought when I read about the “Great Resignation” was that maybe people were saying, “Heck, with it. I’m through with the rat race; I’m getting off the grid.” This put me to mind of a period that lasted about five minutes during the hippie movement in the 1960s. Like much thinking of that era, living without working was somewhat of a philosophical pipe-dream.

Economic circumstances forever evolve, and our current situation will change, as well. But people want and need to work at something. Work is what we humans do. Hopefully, the work we do is useful and meaningful. The best work helps gives significance to our lives. Here’s a prayer that we all may find our right work.

Norman Knight, a retired Clark-Pleasant Middle School teacher, writes this weekly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].