During the Great Recession, Nevada led the nation in joblessness, now it’s No. 1 in jobs.
The state’s private sector job growth rate hit 3.6 percent in the first quarter, the fastest in the country, according to figures released in September. That news did not surprise those who work to hire and retain employees, particularly in the Reno area where Tesla’s still-growing Gigafactory has long fueled a jobs boom.
To address a shortage of workers, employers in Northern Nevada have been adding benefits such as flexible schedules, on-site medical care, and allowing workers to bring their dogs to the office.
A Reno-based company that manufactures casino seating has even offered a “prodigal son” benefit that keeps a position open after an employee quits, in case the grass isn’t greener in the new job.
Thoran Towler, Nevada Association of Employers executive director; Johnny Skowronek, vice president at Square One Solutions, a Reno employment agency