With unemployment numbers in Connecticut being some of the highest in the country, local businesses in the hospitality industry are making a plea for workers to join their workforce.

Garden Catering owner Frank Carpenter says the pandemic changed the way people think about work.

"Some people, a month ago, were still scared. There's a lot of people who their kids are just getting back to school after a full year. That's incredibly difficult," he said.

Carpenter is offering prospective full-time employees $15 an hour, and health and retirement benefits.

"For some people it's been an overnight difference of $10,000 a year, so they're able to help with those car payments and tuition. And we've had them come to us and just, you know, give us those virtual hugs."

Gov. Ned Lamont gave unemployed workers an added incentive recently to get back to work -- a $1,000 signing bonus.

Garden Catering says it's trying to fill 40 positions over the next few months.