The challenge of finding adequate staff for employers is nothing new in the Florida Keys, but some are reporting that the issue could be worse than ever now.
The economic upheaval caused by the pandemic caused many Americans, mostly those who make their living in low-paying service jobs, to the brink of financial desperation. Given the extremely high cost of living in the Keys, this caused many to pack up and seek refuge in more affordable areas, according to multiple sources.
Daniel Samess, CEO of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, said the current lack of workforce is âprobably the worst Iâve seen in my 15-plus years as head of the chamberâ and that the problem is equal to or worse than the shortage after Hurricane Irma damaged much of the Keys in 2017.