Happy Valley-Goose Bay store owner says she's desperate for staff

The owner of three convenience stores in Happy Valley-Goose Bay says she has just about reached a breaking point in dealing with a lack of employeesand thepoorwork ethic among her current staff.

Glenda Thistle told CBC News the situation has oftenleft her manning the counters solo.

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"Fifteen, 17 hours a day sometimes. It's just myself, my nephew, and we pretty much run the show and we try to get everybody to come towork every day and they just don't want to," said Thistle.

Customers have come in and I've offered jobs to them. Inormally just get, "I'm on my EI, I'm good."- Glenda Thistle

Thistle estimates she gets an average of five sick calls a day from her 11 staff members, along with regular no-shows for shifts.

"I've gotten calls from customers, 'Isyour store open today?' It's 9:30, and my employee should have been there at 8:30, but the store just didn't open. They didn't show," said Thistle.

'Closed: nobody willing to work'

Thistle recently went sofar as to post a sign in one of her stores, reading, "Closed nobody willing to work."

"Ifelt that Ineeded to post itbecause not only is it mentally draining, it's physically draining," said Thistle, adding the stress has taken a toll on her in recent months.

Beyond herphysical health, Thistle said her businesses overall are sufferingas administrative and managerial functions fall behind with hertied up in front-line duties.

When asked to sum up what work ethic is like in the region, Thistle bluntly stated,"There is no ethic, whatsoever."

The search for staff

Thistle said she has advertised in newspapers, onlineand in person for new employees.

"Customers have come into my store, and I've offered jobs to them. Inormally just get, 'I'm on my EI [Employment Insurace], I'm good,'"said Thistle.

There is no [work] ethic, whatsoever.- Glenda Thistle

"It's excrutiating."

Thistle employed two temporary foreign workers two years ago, before that program was overhauled by the federal government as the result of a CBCinvestigation into abuses in the system.

"Those were good times, back then. They [the workers]were amazing," said Thistle.

In recent weeks, the federalLiberal government has taken steps to launch a review of the programand has also lifted restrictions on workers in some seasonal industries.

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Those aremoves Thistle is watching closely, and with hope.

"I'd just like to see more support here, and the application process change," said Thistle.

"It's an employee's world, not an employer's world."