The two income problem is showing it ugly head in this economy. A lot of these open jobs were filled not only with second individual income jobs but also a working spouse who wanted the second income, wanted not NEEDED is the key here.
People here still cling to oh it’s the welfare from the gov crutch failing to grasp the paradigm shift. Texas and Florida both eliminated the fed money months and months ago yet people are not rushing back to crappy service industry or retail jobs. I know a lot of Gen X and early Boomers who will never set foot in a corporate office again. They work for themselves now doing gigs, hustles, day trading, and other entrepreneurial activities. I also know of a lot of their kids who will never go back to waiting tables, or retail they found other means, remote work has changed the playing field.
In addition to the retirements from people who could have retired years ago, I see a lot of the second income job workers have pulled back.
It really hit food services and retail, and especially seasonal businesses. I know firsthand of small companies that have six or seven full-timers, mostly to cover the slower weekdays, and 20-25 part-timers to cover the weekends and busy holidays. Many of those part-timers left.
One way the owners cope is by shortening business hours, closing at 6 or 7 instead of 9 or 10. One of my favorite food joints closes at 8 instead of 11.
Also for those who do want a 2nd gig a lot of them are now driving for themselves doing Uber/Doordash/Instacart etc.
Covid was a real break through for home delivery. Lots of people who never dream of ordering groceries on line are doing it now