Holiday season puts workers in ‘hot demand’

Some retailers are turning to prizes in bid to add staff

DETROIT – The holiday hiring season is in full swing, and the big red bow on it is the hope of up to $15 an hour – and maybe even a chance to win a $5,000 trip to New York City or Miami. “Jobs to Cheer About,” says a small slip of paper being handed out to customers at the register at Nordstrom Rack. “We’re hiring for the holidays. Join our team and enjoy our fabulous employee discount. Apply now at careers.nordstrom.com.” The odds are good that if you go shopping in the next few weeks, you’ll spot a jobs fair in the store or hear about holiday job openings. Yes, it’s only October, but the holidays will be highly competitive when it comes to hiring extra help. “Lower-skilled workers are in especially hot demand,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics. On Friday, the Labor Department reported that the U.S. jobless rate hit a nearly 49-year low in September with a rate of 3.7 percent. That’s down from 3.9 percent in August. Some economists expect that the unemployment rate even could fall further. “Unemployment is headed into the low 3s; something we’ve seen only twice in history, once in World War II and in the Korean War,” Zandi said. Many workers who pick up holiday jobs could see better wages, more attractive discounts and maybe even a chance to win a trip to New York City or a $500 gift card. Amazon made big news in early October by announcing that it was raising its minimum wage to $15 for its employees, including seasonal workers, effective Nov. 1. Amazon expects to hire more than 100,000 seasonal employees across the country during the holiday. At Target, all team members hired after Sept. 16 will begin at a $12 an hour minimum wage. Target also initiated a chance for one hourly team member at each of the company’s more than 1,800 stores and its 39 distribution centers across the country to win a $500 holiday gift card. Other stores are adding some holiday bling, too. This year, J.C. Penney is introducing prizes for employees, such as $5,000 trips to New York City, Miami and Canada.

BUTCH COMEGYS/AP Like Santa, you, too, could work at the mall this holiday season. Many retailers are offering better wages, discounts and even prizes.