The labor shortage is becoming as big of a concern as supply chain backups, prompting businesses to do things they’ve never done before to hire workers. How long could this unusual employees’ market last?

In a pretty remarkable story, the University of Memphis set a record for donations for academic support during the pandemic, an achievement aided by a strategic broadening of its donor base and a new scholarship challenge targeting endowed gifts from new donors.

St. Jude made news last week, requiring all employees at the children’s research hospital and its fundraising and awareness arm, ALSAC, to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Sept. 9. The mandate includes interns, consultants, and contractors. Given less than 40% of Shelby Countians are fully vaccinated now, it’s a bold move but one that fits its mission, St. Jude officials say.

Check out the latest hirings and promotions in our market in Movers & Shakers. And if you missed it, reporter Tom Bailey’s story about Memphis-based Lensrentals is worth your time. – Terry Hollahan, business editor.

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Employers are giving hiring bonuses, creating retention incentives, making work schedules more flexible, raising pay, providing transportation to workers and providing other incentives to fill positions during this tight labor market.

The university raised more than $35 million, including a record of $26.5 million for academic support when unemployment was at record highs and the campus mostly was quiet. By Jane Roberts

Employees may receive the vaccine on the St. Jude campus. Those who received it off campus are to submit verification to the hospital before returning to work.  By Jane Roberts

A doctor’s hobby evolved into the world’s largest company of its kind, and Roger Cicala’s expertise in lens sharpness and quality has even drawn the attention of NASA. By Tom Bailey

First Horizon posted quarterly earnings of $0.58, beating Wall Street estimates. By Christin Yates

Whataburger plans to hire more than 530 new employees in the greater Memphis area by the end of this year. The number is to reach 930 by the end of 2022. By Tom Bailey

Until importers can no longer pay the astronomical rates of our industry, rates will unfortunately continue to rise. By Gene Key

Movers & Shakers

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Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) recently promoted Michael Fulton to Director of Government Affairs and Business Diversity Development. By The Daily Memphian Staff

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