Culvers- No Help
 

The sign on the door said, short staffed use drive-thru ! My choice was Drive-off rather than get in a line that wraps around the building! What happened to this restaurant? The indoor seating has been closed all week! The staff was so pleasant and always so eager to make us happy! Do others feel the same? It will be along time before I return to Culvers!

Too many folks receiving too much unemployment insurance... would lose money taking a job

McDonalds in Colony was drive thru only last week when we stopped by. No reason they should be closed to indoor service. Long line at drive thru, no thanks.

Yes, the line looks long, but it moves along relatively quickly, and you still get the same freshly made food. The workers are handling the crush with positive attitudes. Closing the dining room means the personnel present can concentrate on food prep and delivery rather than dining room sanitization and clean up.

Sad but unfortunately very true

It’s happening all over the country. Free money from the taxpayers makes being jobless more lucrative. Businesses shouldn’t have to compete with government. I’m not saying this as a political statement because I’ve criticized all the handouts.

Your final comment that it will be along time before you return to Culver's concerns me. I'm not sure if you think closing the dining area is Culver's fault, and therefore won't go back, or if you aren't mad at them but just don't want to wait in line for the drive thru. I want to remind everyone that this situation is not Culver's fault. They just can't get enough employees who want to work. In fact, a few weeks ago, someone posted on this forum that they had heard a similar comment at Carrabba's. It may take awhile for both the unemployment payments to stop or for people to feel safe and comfortable going back to work. Especially if they have to wear a mask their entire shift.

Agree.

Can you say "stimulus".

Short staff all up the east coast. Get used to it. Free money. Why work?

Not sure where you folks got your information about this sudden shortage of staff being the result of a windfall of money. Most people who quit their jobs do NOT collect any unemployment at all. They're not eligible for it. You can't just up and walk out on a job and expect to get your unemployment claim approved. That's not how it works.

Culver's ALWAYS has lines going around the building during the typical dinner rush. They had those lines even when the dining room was open, before the pandemic shut-downs. I'm guessing that they are -currently- short-staffed, because of normal mundane issues. One person is out on maternity leave, another is sick, another got a better job somewhere else, and another moved and no longer lives close enough to keep working there, and it all happened in the same week.

Meanwhile, minimum wage will be going up to $10/hour in September. It's very likely that some people are choosing to -not- work for $8.65/hour, for the next few months.

And yes I'm sure there are at least a few people who are taking advantage of the unemployment funding boost. However - if they are caught lying about being available, actively seeking, and able to return to work, they not only get cut off, they risk having to pay back ALL the money that was given to them from the first day of their claim.

In addition, the money is only available until the expiration date. It's not likely they'll get another extension on the extra.

MAYBE, just MAYBE some of the staff had to be quarantined. They are sort of young and probably haven't been Vaccinated yet.

The drive-thru is usually pretty fast. They are worth the wait in my opinion.

The entire area is experiencing a shortage of workers. Let's see if we get our lawn cut this season in the timeframe we're accustomed to.

I know this first hand up north in northern NE. Folks have been verbal about making more staying home than working. It causes shortages in staff and repercussions in services.

I'm not making this up. I know. Seasonal folks are laid off not fired. They collect. No need to go back to work.

Free money! Woo Whoo!

Culvers employees are not seasonal employees. This is a thread about Culver's. They are not laid off for a season.

In fact, MOST people who work for a living, are NOT seasonal employees. MOST people who work for a living, do so all year round. And there are actual laws with regards to how ANYONE is allowed to collect unemployment compensation. It is regulated state-wide rather than federally. You know, that minimal government the conservative types love so much. Whether they are eligible or not for their state's unemployment compensation program is dependent on their state's criteria.

If you feel Florida's unemployment compensation is given out too generously, then take it up with the Florida government. They're the ones who make the rules around here.

Enforcement of the unemployment rule to be actively seeking work is virtually non-existent, and has been for more than 50 years. It's a joke. I remember, back in the 1960's, seasonal workers collected unemployment for six months every year even though it was technically illegal. And, the Government changed the rule about needing to be laid off to collect unemployment payments during COVID. You could quit your job and still collect unemployment. Also, whenever the Federal Government adds to or extends the normal state benefits, enforcement becomes even more lax. The states are reluctant to deny people Federal money.

110% correct! I dealt with this for 30 years, unemployment will side with the worker in a legitimate firing. Now you can stay on unemployment if you feel unsafe at your workplace.

I totally disagree. The problem is all over, not just at Culvers. Currently in Destin, FL and many of the restaurants are down to one shift for precisely that reason. Unemployment insurance. Some folks are sitting at home for more than they could possibly make in the service industry. Fast food is especially hurt. Talked to a manager and every place is suffering.

They weren't suffering in December, when everything down here was opened up and everyone was enjoying their take-out, curbside pickup, and dine-in service. Stores had enough employees then, and - surprise surprise - there was an unemployment extension and boost then too.

What's different between December and now?

It's a rhetorical question. No need to answer.

True! I noticed how they feel unsafe at the work place but not when partying and such. People are hurting themselves by not working and gaining experience to make more money. Most small businesses are being hurt badly which could very well be the plan. Jobs are plentiful even jobs to start $15-$22 an hour. Some offering signing bonus.

Ruby Tuesday in SS which has had staffing problems was closed today.

This is becoming a big problem, help wanted signs are basically at almost every store/restaurant no matter where you go. No one wants to work in the service/retail industry when you can make a similar amount sleeping late and not working. This is not going to end well, many employers are going to go out of business, and then the over generous unemployment benefits will eventually end. Then all the people taking a free ride won't have jobs to go back to. I had an appointment yesterday to get new tires on my truck, when I showed up they could not put on the new tires because they were short on help. All too common and not right.

Unemployment Compensation "pays more that a working person" made...!!
 

Each person who objects to lazy individuals scamming higher wages through unemployment compensation may benefit from researching guidelines.

e.g. How Much Will My Florida Unemployment Benefits Pay?
The weekly payment amount you receive during unemployment will vary from person to person. The only way to be sure of your benefit amount is to submit a claim.

The state determines your weekly benefit payments based on your previous earnings during employment. In 2020, you can receive a maximum of $275 per week for 12 weeks. You are entitled to a maximum benefit amount of $3,300.

There is actually a lot different between December and now. A new stimulus package was passed in January and weekly payments started up again. If you recall the prior stimulus money had expired. So now folks can stay home and get unemployment plus stimulus money. I am retired so not sure if the amount is correct, but was told by 4 different folks they end up with $845 a week by not working. They can't make that much working so why work. And this will continue for 93 weeks from the date the stimulus was passed. Biggest impact is in the food service industry where folks were working for minimum wage and tips. .

Okay, let me take a moment to see the logic in your minimum wage comment: Don't work for $8.65 an hour, and wait until September for $10 per hour. That's $1.35 an hour difference time ZERO for the next four or more months. Conclusion: no logic. It's all about lack of work ethic and the VALUE of work in one's life.

It’s called losing seasonal people. Starts in April, not a big surprise, it been happening in TV as long as I have been coming in 07.
Two restaurants we frequent lost 1/3 of their staff for just that reason. Healthcare staff here is no different than restaurants, staff leaves to go north, and returning in the fall/winter. Hospitals post The seasonal help all the time. Add those who never returned, because they found employment elsewhere. In today’s climate, Finding reliable staff is going to be a challenge for many months

I was in the Wendy’s on 441 for lunch yesterday. It was busy inside and most tables were taken. The drive through was moving smoothly at 1:00.
About 1:30 they locked the doors to the restaurant and wouldn’t allow anyone inside. Became drive through only.
They didn’t have enough staff to accommodate people.
The drive through line wrapped around the restaurant.

A lot of the places can’t get help. The staff can make more money staying home and drawing unemployment.

A rash decision if you like the restaurant .

Many are not returning to work due to stimulus and additional unemployment assistance. There are other benefits many are also receiving such as rent assistance. Not saying your reply is incorrect, many with the assistance they are receiving and not paying child are making more than if they are working. Several of our friends (also small business owners) have had major issues getting people to return to work. The unemployment system is most states is smothered with claims and doesn't have the staff to chase down alleged abusers. Many are stating they don't feel safe returning to work. I'm not sure anyone can blame them. Others will play the system. In the short of it many eateries are short staffed and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

Covid problem
 

I was told by an employee that many of the employees have Covid and therefore they have a lot of employees not working and therefore can only keep the drive thru open.

Oh thank you stu

I say suck it up buttercup and get back to work and get off the dole.Too bad you lazy loafers have to wear a mask while working. It is what it is.

A lot of places can't open the inside - Culvers, McDonalds, Wendys, Burger King plus regular businesses are understaffed. People are getting paid by the Federal Government to stay home. They are not going to work. The teachers have already had one full year of pay and have not returned to work. Many of the schools are still closed. There are hiring signs in cities and town all over the US. Thankfully our tax dollars are paying for this and are increasing soon to fund this. /s

No workers
Florida is a non union state
Wages are so low it’s better to stay on unemployment or welfare
Nursing Homes on the villages only pay 10 dollars an hour unless ur a professional can’t live on that

So sad that the government pays so well. My assistant golf pro said his sister, who is unemployed, makes more money than him from the government. She just lays around everyday, heads to the beach, even took a vacation. Something is definitely wrong in this country.

You have a bad case of entitlement. And I will assume you're one of the people who believe that food workers don't deserve $15 an hour in pay, right? Go home and make yourself a hamburger and stop complaining.

Possibly covid issues. Dont give up on the. The food is good.

Goes to show who’s the smarter sibling not the assistant golf pro!

Don't take it out on Culvers. There are all kinds of businesses looking for help. With the extra unemployment benefits passed by Congress, tons of people are just sitting at home rather than work.

The line between unemployment and welfare is blurring. Unemployment office sends a notice to employer “so and so has filed for unemployment”. The employer used to be asked if they were eligible, no longer, that side of the form is now blank! Fast food employees are not seasonal, how many 20 something snowbirds so you know?
As for Culver’s, I’d sit in a line around the building 3 times for a concrete mixer and a Culver’s burger!

We go to Culver's...went through the drive-through a week ago and the parking lot was full with outside dining that way too. Their inside is "socially-distanced" so that area is smaller. I suspect Covid as well as the lack of workers being the factor of what's happening there now. A couple of weeks ago we met friends at one of the country clubs for dinner. We had reservations so got right in. It seemed busy, at least outside, so we opted for inside. Our dining-room wasn't full at all...maybe 3 or 4 tables/booths. BUT our server really was running her tail off and it appeared to me that they might have been short staffed. Even back then I was hearing or reading similar comments as on here about local places---not just fast-food. Many of our workers drive here from surrounding areas for their jobs. Maybe it's the trickle down effect---higher gas, less hours etc. Also reading of food and products prices increasing. Think what's happening in our country (won't make this political) is affecting ALL areas of what we once took so much for granted.