- A pipeline company's president told WSJ it's lost $13 million in work because of staff shortages.
- He said the firm increased wages by 22% and offers hiring and retention bonuses.
A pipeline company in California said that it's turned down over $13 million in potential work this year because of staff shortages, $4 reported.
Boudreau Pipeline Corp. is made up of about 350 people, and the company installs underground sewer, water, and storm drain utilities.
Alan Boudreau, the company's president, $4 that the staff shortages are "frustrating," and that there's enough work for an extra 50 employees. The $13 million in lost work translates to around 22% of the total value of the contracts the company had won during the time period, Boudreau said.
In the last two years, the company's wages have increased by 22%, Boudreau $4. The company has also hired three in-house recruiters, and is offering hiring bonuses up to $2,500 and retention bonuses up to $5,000 if the employee stays for at least a year, $4. Boudreau did not immediately respond to Insider's request for additional comment ahead of publication.
The company increased referral bonuses up to $1,500 in early 2021, which is a $150 more than it was four years ago, $4, adding that it's the best way to get new employees.
Boudreau isn't the only small business owner with a hiring problem.
A $4 found that 47% of almost 1,500 small business owners surveyed are having difficulty finding and retaining employees. The top reason, $4, was competition with larger companies who can offer higher pay and benefits.
Insider has previously reported that some businesses are also facing problems with job candidates who $4 to their job interviews, or $4 right after they're hired.
In a July 2022 report on small business employment from the National Federation of Independent Business, 49% of small business owners surveyed said $4 they couldn't fill.
Are you a small business owner with a story to share? Contact the reporter at bnguyen@insider.com