"Ghost" employees leave companies scrambling for help

It’s a growing problem many people wouldn’t mind having. However, it comes t the expense of companies looking to hire quality employees. 

It’s called “ghosting.” It usually refers to the sudden end of a online relationship without warning and without further communication. 

Now new employees are getting in the act, by never showing up for their first day of work. 

Peggy Koch is the president at Key Resource Group LLC. It’s a recruiting company in Downtown Buffalo. She said recently a recruit didn’t show up for his new $70,000 health care management job in Western New York. He didn’t even bother calling anyone. 

“It was surprising that someone didn’t start a job. And someone didn’t show up on their first day of work,” Koch said. 

It’s a growing trend across the country. Koch said it’s a direct result of a stronger job market and new employees having more options with higher pay. 

To avoid ghosting, Koch said she’s encouraging employers to get rid of that old interview style. Instead, engage job candidates. Give them the bigger picture of why they should work for that company long term. Also, speed up the hiring process to avoid losing potential employees to other companies.