By Michael Boriero
The Partage Saint-François, a homeless shelter in Sherbrooke, closed its emergency overnight weekend services for a second time in the past two months due to staffing shortages.
“Listen, this isn’t a big mystery, we can’t find employees that want to work on the weekend. This is just the reality. The job market is what it is,” said Director Sébastien Laberge, adding that it’s difficult to attract professionally trained interveners willing to work night shifts.
He told The Record that it has become a challenge trying to convince a qualified person to work in what is often a dangerous environment. Some of the clientele suffer from schizophrenia, refuse to take their medication, and walk in intoxicated.
“Presently, in the job market, these professionals are able to get better paying jobs in the health network, with superior working conditions, and salaries that double what we offer,” said Laberge, sharing that his employees are searching for more stability.
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