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Sharon Harris asks what can be learned from recent events in Las Vegas


Sharon Harris looks at North America’s ‘Summer of the Shortage’


TI


Wynn called Las Vegas a “target rich” environment in November 2015 and recruited top law enforcement and military


consultants to formulate a security plan


o work or not to work… that is the 2021 “summer of the shortage” question. Shakespeare fans will recognize my play on Hamlet. Choices made often determine destiny.


Today, employment shortages – disproportionately in


hospitality – are crippling businesses. Most companies have rolled out a hiring “welcome mat” to fill almost 10 million jobs. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights, restaurant


t was unimaginable that on the very week our global gaming industry converged on Las Vegas for G2E, the unthinkable could happen. As many had already arrived, or were arriving, a madman shattered the Las Vegas allure on October 1.


While 22,000 were enjoying an outdoor concert


workers struggle to feed customers and retail shops lack sales personnel to eliminate long lines. I heard one pizzeria owner say he walks employees to their cars after work, not for safety, but to prevent competitors from recruiting them. Covid displaced and furloughed millions. Reopening means reviving positions, so people should eagerly apply, right?


Apparently not so. Many have opted out this summer


instead of working. Weekly state unemployment checks, and another $300 from Washington, will continue into September. Not everyone will benefit since more than half the states have rejected federal payouts. Coincidentally, unemployment rates dropped in those very same states. Admittedly, I don’t get it. Supporters explain many are reevaluating their careers. Others complain that many


Ironically, my


Casino International article in September‘s G2E issue specifically focused on casino crimes. Ex-FBI agent Tom Raftery, one quoted source, warned that many within the gaming industry have not adequately addressed possible onsite terrorism.


Tragically, the


Mandalay Bay learned otherwise and has now hired a


8 OCTOBER 2017 creativefamily/Adobe Stock 8 JULY 2021


at the chic Mandalay Bay, shots peppered the crowd from the 32nd floor. Within minutes, dozens lay dead and hundreds were wounded, some with lifetime injuries.


With tens of thousands of G2E attendees in town, a


large group probably stayed at the Mandalay Bay. How does one react or prepare for this type of nightmare?


Over time, we have learned this mass shooter, who


killed himself rather than be caught, methodically planned every detail of the carnage. A rich, heavy gambler, he did not fit any “standard“ profile.


ateside


positions pay an insufficient living wage. Compared to the temporary money stream, they ask why should anyone lose out until the money runs out? Still others cite Covid fears, although anyone over 12 may receive a free vaccine. Finally, they describe inadequate childcare. To me, it’s simple: choose work because burning bridges


New York crisis management public relations firm. The lawsuits against them are just beginning to determine possible negligence by security personnel.


is rarely a good idea. Be careful what you wish for because holding out for the perfect job can backfire. As millions of small business owners scramble to find


It is long overdue for casinos to incorporate


employees, many vow to never rehire the “no-shows.” These same employers often tried hard to help their employees last year. When Nevada’s “Right to Return” law was enacted to run


through August 22, laid-off workers were allowed 10 weeks to refuse three job offers before termination. Employers weren’t so lucky. They received only 30 days to inform workers, in multiple languages, their reasons for not rehiring. If dissatisfied, employees may sue. Have these legislators or state union leaders in Carson


terrorism preparedness into employee training. This killer brought guns into his hotel suite and installed cameras that monitored his room and the hallway. He then used heavy-duty hammers to smash the windows and take aim. Not that guests’ luggage or drawers be searched, but dozens of weapons take up a lot of space.


Many question the relative ease in getting such an


City ever made payroll? Why punish employers trying to recoup their businesses? Last month, Station Casinos, hardly some two-bit company, was the first to say “no” to this ill-conceived program. Station is a major player in metro Las Vegas with an impressive portfolio. Holdings include the high-end Green Valley and Red Rock resorts, plus numerous local and neighborhood gaming venues. After rehiring more than 1,500 employees and conducting job fairs, Station ended its “bring back” program on July 1. Company officials


arsenal to his suite. Conditions will certainly change since the bar altering our very behavior keeps shifting. So far, gaming has pretty much escaped these events, which is amazing considering these 24- hour businesses have dozens of open doors and entry points that never close.


released a statement, saying: “We will not be filling jobs we normally would due to this very wrong law, which punishes us for trying to bring team members back to work.” Their not-so-subtle contempt specifically targeted the culinary union. Station claims the union designed its unrealistic public relations “spin” to excuse employees who will not return to work. Station also publicly accused leadership of deliberately misleading their members by hiding the employers’ “additional and redundant recordkeeping” as they expose “employers to costly litigation with every hire.” The union’s response named other major organizations who agreed to contractual recall rights last year. That may be, but conditions changed. No one could predict the shutdown’s duration and the amount of financial aid distributed from federal and state governments. Given Nevada’s current contradictions, this battlefront is


Image: Fannyes/Adobe Stock


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