SOUND OFF: Kamloops workplaces should up their employment standards

KAMLOOPS IS NOT FACING a simple labour shortage – it is facing a breakdown in workplace standards, and many young workers are quietly opting out.

From what I’ve seen firsthand, the issue is not just about employers or wages. It’s about the pace of workforce changes and the lack of integration into a shared set of expectations. When large numbers of workers enter the workforce without a consistent baseline in communication, training or workplace norms, the result is not diversity of experience – it is fragmentation.

On the ground, that looks like poor communication between staff, inconsistent understanding of safety practices, and tension within teams. It affects morale, service quality, and productivity. It also creates environments where some workers feel they are carrying more of the burden, while others are not being held to the same standard.

At the same time, many local young people are choosing not to apply to these jobs at all. When workplaces feel disorganized or inconsistent, they are not seen as good opportunities – they are seen as places to avoid. Yet employers continue to claim they “can’t find workers” and look outward for solutions, which risks compounding the same issues if integration and standards are not addressed.