You know most managers don’t even get to decide who to hire and fire. Most firings I’ve had to perform were decided above my head. I was just handed the task since they reported to me. Same goes for hiring. I’ve been begging for a new staff member for months and keep getting shot down.
This works out really well for upper management. They know full well that you know that your team lead doesn’t make the decision to understaff, which they hope will guilt their contributors into staying instead of piling more shit on the blameless boss’s plate when they leave.
The employees on my team are, for the most part, not treated well by the company. Shitty practices like categorizing them as 'contractors' and consistently underpaying them. I do what I can, including commiserating with them and letting them know that I appreciate them. I also try to buy them lunch any chance I get - even though I get that it really isn't the same as true compensation. That said, most people on my team have been with the company for over 20 years... I've only been with the company for 6 months. I try, but sometimes find it hard to maintain sympathy when they refuse to seek better employment.