There’s been a solid shortage of workers as the pandemic has continued, and with the hope that is coming to an end, local businesses are still struggling to find help. They ask: where are all the workers, report Nydia Han and Heather Grubola for 6abc.

A record number of people are quitting the workforce and citing COVID-19 concerns, as people are worried about their safety and health.

Approximately 759,000 workers quit their jobs in the Northeast in August, up 18% from the 642,000 employees who quit in July, 6abc says. Is the #thegreatresignation happening before our eyes?

“I’ve been doing this for 26 years. It’s the most difficult time in my history,” said Tony Altomare of Tony Roni’s Pizza, which has locations nearby in Bala Cynwyd, Conshohocken, and Willow Grove in Montco, as well as several others.  “When everything got shut down, I think people felt that they could stay home and didn’t want to work anymore.”

Many benefits have expired and job experts believe the main factor encouraging people to leave the workforce is the continuing pandemic, now complicated by the Delta variant.

“So they’re feeling as though their health is at risk, or they’re coming home to either young children that are not vaccinated or elderly parents that they’re also responsible for,” said Kristin Kane Ford of Kane Partners LLC, a staffing agency based in Lansdale.

Business owners and now getting creative, adding more incentives to people to bring in employees.

Read more about the workforce shortage at 6abc.