The 190 respondents were asked to categorize the importance of eight possible causes of the labor shortage. The workers tended to identify longstanding labor conditions as primary factors for the shortage.
| Possible causes | Very Important | Important | Not important |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low wages | 66% | 28% | 6% |
| Lack of benefits (health insurance, paid time off, 401(k)) | 74% | 18% | 8% |
| Long hours/inflexible schedules | 62% | 30% | 8% |
| Pandemic working conditions | 54% | 33% | 12% |
| Continued unemployment benefits | 20% | 34% | 46% |
| Veteran workers have left the industry | 32% | 33% | 35% |
| Poor workplace culture | 52% | 33% | 15% |
| Lack of child care (including in-person schooling) | 42% | 30% | 28% |
