Columbus Job Market Part of the Thinnest in 26 Years

February 4, 2010 by Nicholas Robison

Columbus citizens found the job market in 2009 to be historically bare. Thanks to an economy driving the cost for food, house and car payments, utilities, and gas prices even higher, people everywhere are searching for better (or even second and third) jobs.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio has hit the 10 percent mark for the first time since 1984. Franklin County alone is experiencing an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent. Compare that to the state percentage from the beginning of 2008 at only 5.7 percent and and immediately a red flag is raised .
Even grocery chains, who regularly hire high school and college students because of flexible scheduling, are finding little flexibility to hire at all.
Linda Riley, Customer Service Coordinator at Kroger Store #851 in Canal Winchester, has experienced these struggles firsthand and sheds some light as to why.
“We’re not having any turnover," Riley said. "People are smart to stay where they are right now. Other companies are having the same thing happen. People are glad to have a job.”
People who have jobs are clinging to them, while others seeking those same jobs are essentially placed on a waiting list. In cases like this one, that list can be very long. Riley explains the current situation.
“A lot of people are coming in and we tell them to apply online," Riley said. "I just don’t have any hours [to give]. There are good applicants; we just don’t have the spot for them.”
Michael Krieger an architect in the downtown Columbus area knows the struggle to make ends meet. His firm laid off 11 people in 2009 alone, with the remaining associates asked to take pay cuts in 2010 to avoid more job loss.
“(The firm) froze pay increases for 2009-2010 and they reduced the employee work week from 40 to 36 which effectively lowered income for 2009," Krieger said. "Unfortunately, 2010 will see some of the same cuts.”
Krieger has also taken on another job to make up for his lost income. He now works part time in the meat department at the Canal Winchester Meijer Store. He recalls that he’s not the only one with a once considered steady job now forced to compensate.
“I know one guy who was a realtor until the economy took a nosedive. Now he’s working full time at Meijer because the real estate market has dried up.”
Companies and businesses everywhere are making financial decisions necessary to maintain a profit while individuals are taking the necessary steps to do what’s best for their families and for themselves.