This report is a summary of Montana residents and their participation within the workforce during the first quarter (Jan-March) of 2022.
This study was conducted to understand what part of the general resident population has worked in the service and hospitality industry since the beginning of 2020. Some topics include residents\u27 current work status and whether or not they left their job since the start of the pandemic (and why). The report also includes demographic information as well as analysis conducted on the six different travel regions within the state (Glacier, Southwest, Central, Yellowstone, Southeast, and Missouri River)

Bermingham, Carter

Martin, Josh

Pettigrew, Matthew

Schultz, Megan

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research 7-2022 Montana Workforce Study - 2022 Carter Bermingham Matthew Pettigrew Megan Schultz Josh Martin Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs  Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits you. M O N T A N AR E S I D E N T S :Quarterly  Montana Resident  Report  /  1st  Quarter:  January -  April  2022M O N T A N AW O R K F O R C ES T U D Y  -  2 0 2 2C A R T E R  B E R M I N G H A M ,  M A T T H E W  P E T T I G R E W ,M E G A N  S C H U L T Z ,  A N D  J O S H  M A R T I N Balsamroots ,  Yel lowstone National  Park -  All  Photos  Courtesy of  Jacob W. Frank -  NPSThis report is a summary of Montanaresidents and their participationwithin the workforce during the firstquarter (Jan-March) of 2022. Sincethe beginning of the pandemic inMarch of 2020, the Institute forTourism and Recreation Research(ITRR) has conducted a series ofstudies designed to understand theimpact the pandemic has had onbusiness owners, managers, andemployees within the state,particularly in the world of tourismand outdoor recreation. Few stateshave been fortunate enough torecover their tourism industry asquickly as Montana. In a recent ITRRsurvey of more than 300 tourism-related businesses, respondentsindicated their customer and salesvolumes were up 18% and 21%,respectively, over 2019. Though some job recovery hasoccurred, many businesses still reportchallenges with hiring employees andmaintaining staff at sufficient levelsto support pre-pandemic levels ofoperation; with all of this occurringwith increased visitation and demand.This study was conducted tounderstand what part of the generalresident population has worked in theservice and hospitality industry sincethe beginning of 2020. Some topicsinclude residents' current work statusand whether or not they left their jobsince the start of the pandemic (andwhy). The report also includesdemographic information as well asanalysis conducted on the sixdifferent travel regions within thestate (Glacier, Southwest, Central,Yellowstone, Southeast, and MissouriRiver). A B O U T  O U R  W O R KQuarterly Montana Resident StudyData were collected by trained surveyors who asked questions to Montanans as they filled up their vehiclewith fuel at gas stations or when they stopped at rest areas around the state. ITRR has permission from over100 gas stations across Montana to talk to residents during the time it takes them to fill their tank. FromJanuary 2 to March 31st, 2022, any Montanan 18 years of age or older at these locations had an opportunityto be surveyed about their participation in the workforce since early 2020. The questions focused onemployment within the service and hospitality industries and also asked those who left those sectors sincespring 2020 their reason for leaving. All individuals were asked their current work status and if unemployedwere given the chance to explain why. The respondent data were weighted by the county of residence andgender from the US Census, thus providing a representative sample reflecting the geographic population andgender make-up of the state.METHODS1FOR ACCESS TO THE COMPLETE REPORT, VISIT OUR INTERACTIVE DASHBOARD AT:  https://tableau.mus.edu/t/missoula/views/ResidentSurveyQ12022/TitlePage48 YEARSThe largest age cohort represented in thesurvey were respondents between the agesof 35 - 44 years old, accounting for 20% ofall respondents. Those between 25 - 34years old made up 18% of all respondents,followed by those 55 - 64 years old (18%).In addition, the gender split was nearlyeven after applying census weighting, withwomen representing 50% of respondentswhile men made up the other 50%. Only5% of residents surveyed indicated theywere currently students.AVERAGE RESPONDENT AGEMONTANA TRAVEL REGIONSA total of 4,820 Montana residents were surveyed from January 2nd - March 31st, 2022regarding several aspects of their current and past work status. Respondents from 55different Montana counties participated in the survey. Cascade County and the CentralMontana travel region represented the highest proportion of residents surveyed duringQ1 of 2022. A map of the travel regions is presented above with the number ofrespondents from each region. Residents living in communities of more than 20,000 people represented 38% of totalrespondents, followed by 24% who live outside of any community borders, and 21% wholive in a community of less than 5,000 people. Additionally, 32% of respondents reportedthat they have children at home under the age of 18. Of those respondents that did havechildren at home, the average respondent had two children in their household. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%Less Than 1 Year 1 - 5 Years 6 - 10 Years 11 - 20 Years More Than 20 Years 7%DEMOGRAPHICSHOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN YOUR CURRENTCOMMUNITY?19%14%16%45%2No68%Yes32%0 - 2 Years3 - 5 Years6 - 10 Years11 - 15 YearsMore than 15 years30% 20% 10% 0% Service and Hospitality EmploymentFirst, respondents were asked whether or not they had been employed in the serviceor hospitality industry at any point since the beginning of 2020. Just under one-third(32%) of respondents indicated that they had indeed worked in the industry since thebeginning of 2020. Of those who had, 29% of respondents had worked in the industryfor at least three to five years, followed by 22% who had two years or less ofexperience. Additionally, one in five respondents had worked in the industry for atleast 15 years. Several key findings from different analysis segmentsare presented below:• Women were more likely to report employment inthe service/hospitality industry than men (40% vs. 24%,respectively).• Central Montana was the travel region that reportedthe highest percentage of respondents who had workedin the service/hospitality industry since the beginningof 2020 (40%).• Respondents who were new to their community (e.g.,lived there for less than 1 year) were more likely tohave worked in the service/hospitality than others whohad been in their community longer.• Communities with populations of 5,001 to 10,000people had the highest proportion of respondents whoparticipated in the service/hospitality industry (45%). Of those whoworked in theservice orhospitalityindustry, 83%are stillworking in theindustry. 83%SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2020, HAVEYOU WORKED IN THE SERVICE ANDHOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED/DID YOUWORK IN THE SERVICE OR HOSPITALITYINDUSTRY?RESIDENT WORKFORCEQUARTERLY RESIDENTREPORT:  Q1 20223WHICH PART OF THE SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAVEYOU WORKED IN OR DO YOU WORK IN? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)PART OF SERVICE INDUSTRYQUARTERLY RESIDENTREPORT:  Q1 2022RESIDENT WORKFORCEAlthough the initial effects of the pandemic were felt abruptly across the entirecountry, some states have been able to recover their tourism industry morequickly than others - Montana being one of those states. Of those respondentswho reported they had worked in the industry, the highest proportion statedthey are or had worked for Ski Resorts (22%), followed by those in General Retail(9%), and Hotels/Motels (6%). The figure below provides the Top 10 selectionsfrom respondents regarding which section of the industry in which they work orworked. It is important to note that respondents were able to check all optionsthat applied to them, therefore, percentages below will not equal 100%. For amore comprehensive list, visit our interactive dashboard using the link on page 1(About Our Work).WWW.ITRR.UMT.EDU 40% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%Ski Resort General Retail Hotel/Motel Convenience Store/Gas Station Brewery Specialty Retail Auto Repair Airplane/Airport Outfitter/Guide Casino Service and Hospitality All Other Industries80% 60% 40% 20% 0% DID YOU LEAVE A JOB ATANY POINT SINCE THESTART OF THE PANDEMIC?PARTING WAYS SINCETHE PANDEMICOf those respondents with some workexperience in the service/hospitalityindustry, nearly half (47%) reported thatthey left their job at some point since thebeginning of 2020. It should be noted thatrespondents may have returned to theirsame employer or a new employer withinthe same industry (e.g., return afterfurlough) and that the previouslymentioned 47% are not completely gonefrom the industry. 22%Percentage ofrespondents wholeft a job at anypoint since the startof the pandemic. QUARTERLY RESIDENTREPORT:  Q1 2022YESNORESIDENT WORKFORCE47%53%22%78%When comparing respondents who had worked in the service/hospitalityindustry to those who had not, respondents from outside the industry weremuch less likely to have left their job at any point since the beginning of thepandemic. For those with no work experience in the service/hospitality industry,only 22% reported they left a job at any point since the beginning of 2022 - 25%less than those who worked in the industry. • Women were more likely toreport leaving their job in theservice/hospitality industry thanmen (54% vs. 35%, respectively).• Glacier Country was the travelregion that reported the highestpercentage of respondents who lefttheir job in the service/hospitalityindustry since the beginning of2020 (53%).• Respondents who had worked inthe service/hospitality industry formore than 10 years were less likelyto leave their job in the industrycompared to those with less than 10years of experience. 560%Chose to leave their jobsince 202029%Those who were furloughedfrom their job since 20200% 25% 50% 75% 100%Central Glacier Missouri Southeast Southwest Yellowstone QUARTERLY RESIDENT REPORT:Q1 2022REASONS FORLEAVING JOBFor those residents who stated theyworked in the service/hospitalityindustry and left their job at somepoint since the beginning of 2020,they were asked to select which of thereasons provided to them bestrepresented their situation. Amajority of respondents (60%)indicated that they actively chose toleave their job, followed by 29% whowere furloughed and 11% who were letgo.When analyzing results by travel region, a majority of respondents from each region, exceptGlacier Country, reported they made the decision to leave their job on their own. In travelregions like Southeast MT (72%),  Southwest MT (71%),  and Yellowstone Country (75%),  nearly threeout of four respondents from each region who reported leaving their job stated they made thechoice to leave. Overall ,  men were more likely to report leaving their job compared to women(70% vs. 52%, respectively),  while men were less likely to be furloughed than women (19% vs.  37%,respectively.)WWW.ITRR.UMT.EDUI chose to leave my job I was furloughed from my job I was let go from my jobRESIDENT WORKFORCE52%71%36%21%12%59%48% 44%23%72%18%8%SELECT WHICH STATEMENT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR SITUATION (REASONS FOR LEAVING JOB)619%9%8%14% 11%75%TRAVEL REGIONS0% 20% 40% 60%Still working for the same employer (since pre-pandemic) Retired Started new job outside of my previous industry Started working at a new employer within the same industry Returned to the same employer Still looking for work Choosing not to return to work WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST REPRESENTS YOUR CURRENTWORK SITUATION?REASONS FORUNEMPLOYMENTQUARTERLY RESIDENTREPORT:  Q1 2022RESIDENT WORKFORCERespondents were then asked to select which of the statements provided to them bestdescribed their current work situation. Overall, 53% of respondents reported that theyare still working for the same employer since the beginning of 2020, followed by 16%who were retired, and 11% who had started a new job outside of their previous industry.When analyzing the results by travel region, respondents in Missouri River Countrywere more likely to report working for their same employer (62%), while those isGlacier Country were slightly more likely to be retired (19%). When analyzing results by the size of the respondent's community, respondents incommunities with roughly 10,000 to 20,000 people were less likely to report workingfor their same employer (45%) while also being more likely to start a new job outside oftheir previous industry (20%). Overall, just 9% of respondents reported that theirprimary job was seasonal, with areas like Yellowstone Country (14%) and GlacierCountry (10%) reporting slightly higher percentages of respondents who relied onseasonal work. 7Few options availableCOVID Health safetyMental healthChildcareWagesHoursLack of Benefits25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE NOT RETURNED TO THE WORKFORCE?PARTING WAYS SINCE THE PANDEMIC:RETURN TO THE WORKFORCEFinally, those respondents who stated they choose not to return to work or thatthey where still looking for work were asked some of the reasons they've notyet returned to the workforce. Overall, 18% of respondents indicated they therewere too few options available for the type of work they looking for.Additionally, another 18% of respondents stated that COVID health safety in theworkplace was a reason they haven't returned. QUARTERLY RESIDENTREPORT:  Q1 2022MenWomenRESIDENT WORKFORCE47%25%22%14%When comparing men and women, men were more likely to indicate there weretoo few options for them (25% vs. 14%, respectively), while wages seemed to bemore relevant to male participants (13% vs. 4%). Conversely, women were morelikely to cite COVID health safety in the workplace (22% vs. 12%) and slightlymore likely to site childcare (e.g., access to, quality of, cost). It should be notedthat "Other" was the most popular reason selected, and was excluded from thisanalysis. 822%17%10%4% 4% 4%12% 18%9%13%10%7%Results from this survey indicate thatthe service and hospitality industry ofMontana experienced greaterturnover within their ranks whencompared to other industries. Ofresidents that were surveyed, nearly athird (32%) had worked in the serviceor hospitality industry since thebeginning of 2020, with 83% of thosestill participating in the industry.Additionally, roughly 20% of thoserespondents had at least 15 years ofexperience in their respective field. However, of those respondents whohad worked in the service orhospitality industry since thebeginning of 2020, nearly half (47%)stated that they left a job at somepoint in the past two years - 25%higher when compared to anaggregate of other industries.Although this comparison is stark, it'sunsurprising to find that a sector ofthe economy such as service andhospitality, that requires either directinteraction with a customer orheightened exposure within theworkplace to conduct one's work,would harbor such levels of turnoverin a time where tight labor marketscurrently favor employees.When asked what best representedtheir reason for leaving their job, 60%of respondents stated they chose toleave their job. Just 11% of respondentswho left their job during thepandemic stated they were let gofrom their job. Although thepandemic has caused massiveupheaval in the way we work, travel,and communicate, it also appears tohave presented several residents withthe opportunity to make a change intheir life.  For the small percentage ofrespondents who either chose not toreturn to work or were still lookingfor work, 18% indicated there were toofew options available for their type ofwork, while another 18% stated COVIDhealth safety in the workplace. As weenter the third summer of COVID-19,its effects continue to lingerthroughout the labor market.ITRR has conducted several surveyson the effects of COVID-19 in relationto business owners, managers andemployees dating back to thebeginning of the pandemic. For moreinformation on the topic, visit ourPublications page on our website andenter the search term "Covid."C O N C L U S I O N SQuarterly Montana Resident Study9WWW.ITRR.UMT.EDU

Montana Workforce Study - 2022

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Montana Workforce Study - 2022

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