Technology didn’t replace face-to-face service related jobs, so where did they go?  For example, what happened to the full-service gasoline station attendants?  Where are the doormen/women at the hotels?  How come I can’t  find a sales person in a department store…just the cashier?  Obviously, businesses cut back on these service-related jobs but at whose expense?

I understand that machinery and/or technology replaced many skilled workers; however, this really hasn’t affected the service industry.  They may say that high prices or lack of sales has caused them to cut back on face-to-face client services.  In contrast, I propose that the reduction of service-related jobs has actually caused financial losses.  If you’re a certain age, you may not be familiar with the above mentioned services, as these jobs have disappeared in the last decade.

In my humble opinion, the gasoline stations should bring back the full-service attendants.  I realize that many customers would probably not want to pay higher gas prices.  However, as a single woman, I used to rely on the full-service attendants to check my car before I went on a trip.  I didn’t mind paying the extra money for gas since it gave me a peace of mind.  Also, if I was dressed nicely and didn’t want to get my hands dirty, then I’d go to the full-service station.

My 87 year-old mother has to pump her own gas!  The service-related job industry should consider not only the elderly but also persons with disabilities and bring back the jobs that provide face-to-face assistance to those in need.  Instead of charging more for gas, they could rethink the way that a gas station attendant gets paid.  For example, attendants could work for tips and get paid the low service wage akin to a waiter.  For quality assurance, the major gasoline service stations could conduct market research to find the best way to serve the customer.

Providing gas station attendants could help reduce highway accidents because drivers generally don’t keep their tires properly inflated.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Underinflated tires impact a driver’s ability to control a vehicle against skidding, blowouts, and other tire failures.  While not a leading cause of highway accidents and fatalities, a NHTSA study shows that, in 1999, underinflated tires contributed to 247, or 0.8 percent, of 32,061 fatalities and 23,100, or 0.8 percent, of almost 3 million injuries. In addition, NHTSA estimates that 41 vehicular-related deaths occur annually because of blowouts alone from underinflated tires.”

Secondly, I wish that hotels would bring back the doorman or bell hop.  I traveled for work and found myself encumbered with luggage and a computer bag when trying to open the hotel door.  Most hotels, at the very least, have a remote door at the entrance, but many hotels do not.  It should be a basic service that hotels provide to visitors.  Hotels often provide perks and privileges afforded to frequent travelers like a free bottle of water or free wi-fi.  Perhaps they should think about providing the basic customer service of opening the door for clients!

Sometimes I’d wait at the hotel door with my hands full until someone exited before I’d enter the building because I didn’t want to place my items on the floor in order to open the door.  As for the handicapped, many hotels have a large button to push for the door to open but many do not.  It’d be nice to have a door man/woman or bell hop to greet you as you enter.  In addition, I’m sure this would help with the safety and security of the visitors and hotel businesses.

Thirdly, I don’t know how many times that I have put clothes down and walked out of a department store because there were so many customers in line with only one cashier.  Nowadays, when you go into a regular department store it’s like a ghost town.  I have to search for a salesperson.  Generally, there’s one cashier/salesperson in charge of several sections of the store.  This can’t be good for sales!  I’m certain that this is fueling the online shopping experience.  If you can’t find something in a store and don’t see a salesperson around, you’ll probably go elsewhere or online.  The sales assistant job will be replaced by online shopping if retailers continue to function with only a few employees on the sales floor.  Having a salesperson available in each department store could increase the number of items sold.

In conclusion, service-related jobs are an important part of our society, not only for convenience or the sake of satisfaction, but also for meeting the needs of the elderly, providing accommodations for persons with disabilities,  and for overall safety.   Furthermore, it would aid the economy by adding jobs and increasing sales!  I acknowledge the promotion of “green jobs” to simultaneously rebuild our economy and save the planet.  However, let’s not forget about the basic service-related jobs that should provide the necessary face-to-face interactions with customers.  Imagine the job growth if every gasoline service station had an attendant or every hotel no matter how small had a doorman.  Wouldn’t retail sales increase at stores if they had at least one salesperson at every department?  Think about it!

Sandra Annette Rogers
[1] sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Look for jobs: [2] http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333