Tuscaloosa businesses especially short on workers for holidays

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Whitney Leibold

Employers in the hospitality industry are finding it a struggle to attract quality workers, and for Tuscaloosa that means businesses are running short-staffed and stressed out.

The University of Alabama is a big tourism draw, meaning hotel staff and restaurants are overburdened during big Crimson Tide football weekends, graduation ceremonies and other events, to say nothing for non-college events that can also draw thousands into town for a weekend.

Help Wanted signage is prominent around town, especially now that college students are heading home until January brings them back for another semester.

Hotel Indigo Front Office Supervisor Felicia Prince said it’s been difficult juggling a smaller staff with a bigger workload.

“There have definitely been those days when people maybe call off and we don’t have the extra hands,” she said. “We will come together and pick up that slack because we all know the job so we know how to go in and get in where we fit.”

West Alabama Works is doing what it can to get employees connected with the employers who need them most, but the organization has seen more job postings from hotels than any other industry this fall.

West Alabama Works Outreach and Project Manager Lauren Collier said open hotel positions include bartenders, clerks, restaurant servers, housekeeping staff and managers.

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