Current Events > The "newest" labor shortage in my area is Lifeguards for pools.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Our local paper has been writing articles lately about how most of the public pools are closed due to lifeguard shortages. I'm not sure how it is in every state but a lot of the pools are owned by the state here and a lifeguard is kind of a state employee (although not REALLY).

Man some people are irrational upset by this. They are upset at the idea that no one wants to take a job where you have to first pay for training courses (first aid, etc.) and then get paid $11 an hour.

I see a lot of:

• Kids are just lazy today
• Why should a non-full time job pay more than 11 dollars an hour? (Side note: these positions are full time WITH overtime)
• Why should a non-skilled job pay more than 11 dollars an hour? (Side note: I guess the training and certifications you need make you non-skilled)

The idea that GAS STATIONS are paying 15 dollar an hour to start in the area here means no one really wants to lifeguard job for a lot less pay. They can't seem to pick up on the fact that the places that are most "hurting for employees" are the ones paying shit pay like the Dollar Store (like 8.50 an hour) or waiting tables (2.83 an hour, not counting tips).

I just do not get people.

So anyways, it seems like a lot of public pools in PA will close for the year.

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Pools are struggling to get chlorine pucks to begin with.

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We have a shortage of garbage collectors in my area

There are people that havent had their trash picked up in three weeks


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i remember a news story like 15 years ago about a lifeguard shortage in my area as well. back then the major issue was people are too eager to call other people pedophiles. you cant be a male lifeguard at a place where kids swim without people being suspicious of you. hence why nobody wants to be a lifeguard
im sure shit pay is also a major contributor

If its anything like when I was a County lifeguard, the job can be pretty brutal too. More heavy lifting than people think, and sometimes wed be out in the scorching sun for 13 hours with one 5 minute break...if we were lucky. And keep in mind that whole time you had to have a straight back and your head on a constant swivel, and were only able to take a drink of water if you had a manager come over, and they were loathe to do so.

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why would i want to put myself in danger rescuing someone and spend all day burning in the sun for 11$ an hour?

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Not many people want to take a position where you're at risk of getting falsely accused and fired/sued over actually doing your job. Even being legally cleared will not prevent employers from hastily axing you for the mere accusation and potential Twitter mob.

Lifeguards are typically the designated authority figures at public swimming areas. Which means they have to deal with crazy Karens, their loser baby daddies, and their worthless spawn. If you were not aware, designated authority figures actually following protocol and enforcing rules were definitely not popular in 2020...

Now attach a pitiful minimum wage to it with next to no option for advancement and remember that the position we're talking about basically tasks you with babysitting stupid, arrogant, entitled people hellbent on injuring themselves and others near a slippery crowded pool of water. Times that by 10 if it's a big city pool. You might as well be a burger flipper; less complicated and typically better hours.

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Samurontai posted...

We have a shortage of garbage collectors in my area

There are people that havent had their trash picked up in three weeks

That's kind of crazy! Personally I'd be fine since I live by myself and go through maybe a bag a week but if I had multiple people living in a place or was an apartment complex or something I would be upset.

Kloe_Rinz posted...

i remember a news story like 15 years ago about a lifeguard shortage in my area as well.

That's so stupid. Remember a few years ago when there was light chatter of "men shouldn't be allowed at parks" because of the same thing?

monkmith posted...

why would i want to put myself in danger rescuing someone and spend all day burning in the sun for 11$ an hour?

Right?

OpenlyGator posted...

Which means they have to deal with crazy Karens,.......

Yeah. They really are glorified babysitters who have a higher chance of needing to save the kids life. I wouldn't do it for that pay.


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People have a narrative in their heads about lazy millennials / gen Z-ers and will take any opportunity to spread it.

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There you go. That was easy.

Questionmarktarius posted...

There you go. That was easy.

That's what I say. No lifeguards? You can swim but it's up to the parent to watch their own kid.
Although I have a feeling that it's insurance reasons that they cant' do this.

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WrkHrdPlayHrdr posted...

Although I have a feeling that it's insurance reasons that they cant' do this.

That sign is the insurance. Or, just shut down the pool and fill it with gravel, and save even more money.

Questionmarktarius posted...

That sign is the insurance. Or, just shut down the pool and fill it with gravel, and save even more money.

you say that, but even putting a "do not enter" sign in your yard doesn't fully protect you if a kid comes into it and drowns in your pool...

i've only really seen those signs at the beach, and i think it works for them because the local/state government has protections against civil lawsuits that a private person or in this case pool would not have.

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Pools don't really need lifeguards. Very few incidents. Beach lifeguards are more important with the undertow.

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WrkHrdPlayHrdr posted...

Our local paper has been writing articles lately about how most of the public pools are closed due to lifeguard shortages. I'm not sure how it is in every state but a lot of the pools are owned by the state here and a lifeguard is kind of a state employee (although not REALLY).

Man some people are irrational upset by this. They are upset at the idea that no one wants to take a job where you have to first pay for training courses (first aid, etc.) and then get paid $11 an hour.

I see a lot of:
* Kids are just lazy today
* Why should a non-full time job pay more than 11 dollars an hour? (Side note: these positions are full time WITH overtime)
* Why should a non-skilled job pay more than 11 dollars an hour? (Side note: I guess the training and certifications you need make you non-skilled)

The idea that GAS STATIONS are paying 15 dollar an hour to start in the area here means no one really wants to lifeguard job for a lot less pay. They can't seem to pick up on the fact that the places that are most "hurting for employees" are the ones paying shit pay like the Dollar Store (like 8.50 an hour) or waiting tables (2.83 an hour, not counting tips).

I just do not get people.

So anyways, it seems like a lot of public pools in PA will close for the year.

It is infuriating how people are using the word skilled as a cudgel for saying a job doesn't need a survivable wage. I guess inheriting a shitload of money like most millionaires do is a skill now? A lot of very rich people have 0 professional skills. We have dumbass senators who ask the park service to modify the orbit of the moon (literally), how skilled are them?

BilalPowell posted...

Pools don't really need lifeguards. Very few incidents. Beach lifeguards are more important with the undertow.

i'm guessing you mean rip current? undertow is that kind of pulling feeling you feel when a wave breaks over you and then recedes. if you're standing in the wrong spot and you're 4 years old it can theoretically pull you under and drown you, but its not the main risk at most beaches.

rip currents are the biggest issue since they're a strong outward flow of water that pull people way out into deep water. new swimmers drown in them because they try to fight them, get tired, and go under instead of laying back and floating.

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WrkHrdPlayHrdr posted...

Why should a non-full time job pay more than 11 dollars an hour? (Side note: these positions are full time WITH overtime)

I dealt with this all the time in HR. Part time tends to pay more than full time because part timers typically do not get benefits, so most legit places will pay them more. Less pay than FT plus no benefits is an extremely hard sell.

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monkmith posted...

i'm guessing you mean rip current? undertow is that kind of pulling feeling you feel when a wave breaks over you and then recedes. if you're standing in the wrong spot and you're 4 years old it can theoretically pull you under and drown you, but its not the main risk at most beaches.

rip currents are the biggest issue since they're a strong outward flow of water that pull people way out into deep water. new swimmers drown in them because they try to fight them, get tired, and go under instead of laying back and floating.

True, but you can also use the term undertow. I was caught in undertow in Jax, FL and had to go about 1/2 mile before I made it back to shore.

If I was just to the north a rip tide would of pushed me further out.

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