TRURO, N.S. – For the first time in it’s 111-year history, Stanfield’s Ltd. is offering employment positions on a part-time basis.
“It’s a changing job market and even though we have been here for over a century, we have to change too,”
said director of operations Mike Lee, of the company’s decision to try a different hiring approach in an effort to meet the employment challenges of modern times.
"We have never hired part-time people before,” he said. “So this is a new venture for us.”
The company currently has about 300 employees in its underwear and garment manufacturing plant in Truro. Many of its long-term employees have retired or are reaching retirement age, however, and Lee said that as with other companies across Nova Scotia and beyond, Stanfield’s has difficulties filling the empty positions.
The other problem is getting them to commit to permanent employment, he said.
“That’s almost as difficult as getting them in the door in the first place. And it’s getting worse,” Lee said.
“We want people that are going to join and stay.”
In addition to opening the door to part-time employment, Lee said the company is also offering a flexible work schedule in the hope of attracting early retirees who still want to contribute to society or earn some extra cash. The flexible schedule is also designed to appeal to stay-at-home parents who can only work a portion of the day, empty nesters and so forth.
“We still have a very strong core group of employees. And that’s a very valuable resource,” he said. “The business is very people-centred. For us people are one of the most important resources we have because it does require a lot of hands-on experience and expertise.”
While full-time employees are still being sought, Lee said he would like to hear from others who want to work only part of the day. The company also offers a variable rate pay scale so that someone who is very efficient in their production can earn close to a full-time wage on part-time hours, Lee said.
“We’re looking at people who can do the job, not gender or age, we’re just looking for the skill to do it.”
