Labor is the lifeblood of the lawn and landscape industry. With more than 70,000 business entities employing an average of 7.3 year-round workers is a lot of people to recruit, hire and train. Add in an average of 7.1 seasonal employees and the workforce grows larger.
While landscape companies have average growth plans this year in the range of 10 percent, completing that work is dependent upon hiring workers. And, that’s in jeopardy this year as the government refuses to believe the need to extend the H-2B returning-worker exemption program. The impact of this decision – or lack of decision – will have wide ranging impact on the landscape industry.
The situation doesn’t just stop with will or won’t workers under this program return, it extends beyond that question. For instance, if a crew can’t be staffed with workers, there’s no need to buy additional trucks. And, if trucks aren’t purchased then trailers, mowers, compact utility equipment and hand-held products aren’t needed.
The possible effects are wide-ranging. In a recent reader survey, landscape firms who don’t get requested workers through the H-2B program said they would cancel contracts and/or refuse business and some said they would hire workers with potentially fraudulent documents. In the end, business growth would decline.
The issue goes beyond H-2B. Without these returning workers, survey respondents said they will raise wages, increase benefits and recruit from their competitors. Employee retention will become a No. 1 priority for landscape professionals this year.
The landscape industry has been challenged with finding and keeping workers for years. It’s hard to attract labor to the landscape industry; seasonal workers in particular. It’s hard to convince workers that they can have a career in the landscape industry. If they only knew how rewarding this industry can be.
To address this crucial issue, beginning this month in our magazine we’ll publish a three-part series on labor. The first story – February's cover feature – analyzes the H-2B and immigration crises and who will do the work. The series continues online with more in-depth coverage of the issue.
It’s about attracting workers to the landscape industry and developing a career path for them based on a solid foundation in both the horticultural and business aspects of the industry. Keep us posted on the labor situation in your area. Send feedback to ccode@gie.net.