Skip to main content

'I had to take off my $800 sneakers and cut my own grass': Mass labor shortage in the exclusive Hamptons leaves the rich to cut their own lawns, do their own laundry and even paint their own nails

More than a year after the once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic struck shutting down entire countries, the residents of the Hamptons are dealing with the new biggest threat to their lives; who will do the laundry? 

The pampered residents have been mocked online as mass labor shortages forces them to do the unthinkable; mow their own lawns and do their own nails. 

I had to buy a lawn mower and cut my own lawn. I wanted flowers planted behind the pool,' one resident posted on the neighborhood app Nextdoor. 'The landscaper didn't show up. I had to do it myself,' 

The same person added that their brother had to teach them how to use 'the thing that trims the weeds.'   

'Yesterday, I finally did that. I had to take my $800 sneakers off first, but it was actually satisfying,' the resident added.

It didn't take long for individuals to begin mocking residents online, with many posting their reactions to Twitter.

'Omg not their lawns!! Should we start a gofundme? Maybe send an edible arrangement?' one person wrote on Twitter. 

'Have they tried paying fair wages? It usually works,' wrote another.   

A mass labor shortage has left the wealthy and privileged residents of the Hamptons fending for themselves in ways they could never imagine. Pictured, the Hamptons shoreline

A mass labor shortage has left the wealthy and privileged residents of the Hamptons fending for themselves in ways they could never imagine. Pictured, the Hamptons shoreline

Furthermore, 74% of job seekers believe employers need to re-evaluate their benefits after the pandemic, including healthcare, sick and parental leave, and flexible work schedules, according to the survey (pictured)

Furthermore, 74% of job seekers believe employers need to re-evaluate their benefits after the pandemic, including healthcare, sick and parental leave, and flexible work schedules, according to the survey  

But while some found comedic relief with the shortage, many residents aren't seeing the humor. 

The combination of soaring local rental prices, the ban on temporary work visas and the fact that many hospitality workers are not keen to rush back to their grueling, low paid jobs after generous Covid-19 boosted unemployment, has left many Hamptonites without paid help for the first time.   

According to real estate company Douglas Elliman, inventory of available homes throughout the Hamptons fell in the first quarter of the year as real estate sales and prices surged.

That means summer workers are having difficulty finding rentals, leaving many establishments shorthanded for the season. 

'Right now it is full season in the Hamptons and we are closed Sundays and Mondays; we don't have enough cooks,' Eric Lemonides, co-owner of Almond told the New York Times. 

Other factors are at play too.   

Due to a sweeping ban on J-1 work visas in 2020, temporary workers are being forced to cancel their initial plans to spend the summer working in the U.S.  

According to the U.S State Department, COVID-19 restrictions have reduced appointment capacity, creating 'a significant backlog of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants awaiting a visa interview.'

Meanwhile, some US workers are choosing to opt out of the service industry, after many lost their jobs during the lockdown, blaming poor pay, bad benefits and a stressful work environment as the cause, according to a Joblist survey.  

According to the survey, hospitality jobs are unpopular, with 38% of former hospitality workers reporting that they are not even considering a hospitality job for their next position.

Furthermore, 74% of job seekers believe employers need to re-evaluate their benefits after the pandemic, including healthcare, sick and parental leave, and flexible work schedules.

The result is a lack of available workforce that has seen stores and restaurants around the country being forced to offer joining incentives, such as iPhones or bonuses, or higher wages to entice staff back to work.

In the Hamptons, the shortage means it's almost impossible for residents seeking an electrician, plumber, or gardener.

The labor shortage has even hit Hamptons residents' beauty regimes, as salons struggle to find enough staff to meet the staggering demand.

In June, before the season even started, Annie Barton, owner of The Salon & Day Spa in Amagansett Square said she has 'never seen a summer like this.'

'We have a two-week waiting list, and some hairdressers have a one-month waiting list,' she told Vanity Fair.

Barton said she's informed her year-round regulars to pre-book or run the risk of not receiving an appointment.  

'Everyone's going for the natural look this year. If you see unpainted nails, you know they just can't get an appointment. I watch them at the nail salons with walk-ins and they just laugh,' one resident said.  

'You can't get your nails done either,' said another East Hampton resident. 'Everyone's going for the natural look this year.'

'If you see unpainted nails, you know they just can't get an appointment. I watch them at the nail salons with walk-ins and they just laugh,' they added. 

The lack of these benefits is a major factor in attracting employees right now, with 55% of job seekers saying that they would even consider taking a lower-paying job if it offered better benefits, according to the survey (pictured)

 The lack of these benefits is a major factor in attracting employees right now, with 55% of job seekers saying that they would even consider taking a lower-paying job if it offered better benefits, according to the survey

The survey, (pictured)states hospitality jobs are unpopular, with 38% of former hospitality workers reporting that they are not even considering a hospitality job for their next position

The survey, states hospitality jobs are unpopular, with 38% of former hospitality workers reporting that they are not even considering a hospitality job for their next position

According to Jay Schneiderman, the Southampton Town Supervisor, the shortage is also having a negative effect on local government, with the municipality struggling to recruit people for town positions.

The area has been without a town accountant since May of last year, and has been unable to fill vacancies for six secretarial positions and three building inspectors in addition to other roles, according to the human resources department.

'We can't pay them enough to live in the community,' Schneiderman told The New York Times. 'We need to create more affordable housing, we do. It is creating issues for so many businesses.'

'It's not just the town, and certainly not just restaurants: it's the hospital needs nurses, the schools need teachers and custodians. Everybody is priced out,' he added. 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o