Like so many other nonprofits, PSS – a multiservice agency in NYC – is struggling to recruit qualified employees. As a result, we are exploring new and innovative efforts to be competitive and attract more applicants.
Early on during the pandemic, PSS redefined “work environments” for every position, plotting them on a continuum – from 100% “On Site” to “Work from Anywhere”. We prefer the term “work from anywhere” over “remote” as more accurately depicting staff working from wherever needed – from home, at any of our centers or apartments, in the community, or in the client’s home. PSS has already seen that “Work From Anywhere” work is increasingly attractive to many professionals.
PSS has invested in properly equipping all of its staff to be effective in their “work environment” with mobile phones, digital equipment, home office supplies, tools and training.
I’m hearing regularly from my counterparts about the demand for higher wages. As a result, we are re-assessing staff salaries/wages at every level to optimize our competitiveness.
We’ve also begun thinking “out of the box”. For example, PSS has begun analyzing each position and breaking out certain duties that could possibly be packaged together and done by paraprofessionals, part-time workers or lesser skilled staff. For example, some duties being done by social workers – like calling clients to schedule appointments – could be done by a trained paraprofessional. This not only provides the agency with greater flexibility in staff deployment but we’re creating new employment opportunities – especially for older adults who are seeking part-time work.
Other innovative options being explored include outsourcing certain admin functions (bookkeeping, IT, etc). PSS has even begun thinking about a 4-day work week or joining a PEO (Professional Employer Organization).
I’d particularly like to hear what YOU are all doing or exploring in this particular space. I’d love to start a practical “nuts and bolts” conversation with other nonprofits who would be interested in sharing their solutions or experiences. Not a “gripe session”… but sharing what you’ve tried, what works, best practices. If your organization has outsourced any of its functions, let’s talk about how that worked. If your agency has ever been part of a PEO, your insights as to “pros and cons” would be very valuable.
Let me know if you’d like to be part of that dialogue – I’d love to hear from you.
Rimas Jasin,
Executive Director