City offers Lifeguards a $2,500 bonus to save pool season

Phoenix has taken a big step to save summer at city pools from the labor shortage that has hobbled business and governments across the country.

In a desperate effort to recruit nearly 650 lifeguards within a matter of weeks and open all its 29 public pools, City Council last week authorized the Parks and Recreation to provide $2,500 in “executive pay” to lifeguards that will be payable in two installments — $500 in their first check after they’re on the job and $2,000 when the season ends.

That would raise lifeguard pay this year to about $21 an hour from the current $14 an hour if they work the usual 360 hours during the summer pool season.

But Aquatics Director Beck Hulett said that rate actually could be higher for lifeguards who don’t put in all that time, since they would still get the $2,000 incentive in their final paycheck.

Read full story: https://www.thefoothillsfocus.com/city_news/city-tries-to-save-pool-season-from-lifeguard-crunch/article_b9a04c1c-a3b5-11ec-9b87-6f4158c985e0.html

Lifeguard Shortage Could Shut Down A Third Of Public Pools in U.S.

As the weather begins warming up and people turn to the outdoors once again, it may be disappointing to find out that at least one-third of public pools in the U.S. risk being shut down or changing hours to accommodate this summer’s imminent staff shortages, says the American Lifeguard Association (ALA). Now, they’re looking at a new demographic to fill the spots.

Full story: Newsweek

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