MACON, Ga. — Georgia Department of Labor said within a couple months they may ask people on unemployment benefits to show they're actively searching for work. They've waived that requirement over the past year during the pandemic.
The possible change comes as many short-staffed restaurants are trying to get back to normal.
Carl Fambro has owned Francar’s Buffalo Wings since 2009, and now he's had to take on the role as cook and waiter.
“I'm back to standing over the fryers,” said Fambro.
That's because he's dealing with a severe staff shortage, just like so many other businesses in Central Georgia. He said he's had to stop his food-truck operation because he's too short of people.
“Before the pandemic, we had anywhere from 12 to 17,” said Fambro. “Now we're running at five to six.”
Fambro said it's due to increased unemployment benefits during the pandemic, which he says is important for the economy, but costing his business.
“The flipside is that it's killing businesses that are service-oriented.”
Republican Senator Larry Walker III said it's not just restaurants suffering, but small businesses, too.
“It's a consistent theme I hear from them -- they can't get help.”
Walker agrees the unemployment benefits have hurt the service industry.
“Some people are making more money at home than they are working,” said Walker.
He thinks requiring those on unemployment to show they're searching for work can help the problem
“I think we need to get everybody back to work, there's plenty of opportunities out there.”
For now, Fambro is using digital phone orders to fill the lack of a wait staff.
“It's worth it to me because I can keep working on orders, not have to come out and take someone's money,” said Fambro.
He doesn't think they'll ever have 17 employees again, but thinks next year they'll have enough to bring back the food truck.
“That's just a lot of money I'm just seeing go by.”