Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(69,859 posts)
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 11:31 AM Aug 2021

Millions of Americans Are Unemployed Despite Record Job Openings

ECONOMY

Millions of Americans Are Unemployed Despite Record Job Openings

Hardest-hit industries have yet to get back to prepandemic levels

By Ana Rivas and Danny Dougherty
https://twitter.com/anarivasWSJ

https://twitter.com/DannyDougherty
danny.dougherty@wsj.com
Aug. 10, 2021 5:30 am ET

The number of available jobs since May has outnumbered Americans looking for work. One factor is a mismatch between where people want to work and which industries are hiring.

The hardest-hit industries have yet to recover to prepandemic levels, when 63% of Americans were in the labor force. In July, there were 5.7 million fewer jobs, on a seasonally adjusted basis, than there were in February 2020, according to Labor Department data.

The number of people trying to get back into the workforce has rebounded since the early days of the pandemic. The share of adults working or looking for a job has increased slightly from a low of 60.2% in April of last year to 61.7% in July.

Leisure and hospitality workers have seen the highest hiring rates and a boost in weekly earnings as easing restrictions allowed restaurants to reopen and travel to resume. However, the rise in cases from the Delta variant could loom over the rebound.

Hiring in manufacturing surged last year, and has outpaced overall hiring. While more Americans are making things, fewer Americans are selling goods in stores, with retail hiring lagging behind overall rates the past year.

TO READ THE FULL STORY
SUBSCRIBE
SIGN IN
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Millions of Americans Are Unemployed Despite Record Job Openings (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Aug 2021 OP
It appears that there is a glut of low paying, high covid risk jobs available. Chainfire Aug 2021 #1
Over 70 apps jobs $15 an hour or more. I have another interview today. That will make 3 this week. LizBeth Aug 2021 #2
 

Chainfire

(17,757 posts)
1. It appears that there is a glut of low paying, high covid risk jobs available.
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 11:37 AM
Aug 2021

I think a lot of people are holding out for better, safer, opportunities than, "Will you have fries with that?"

Who wants to risk their lives for a minimum wage job that won't keep a roof over their heads?

LizBeth

(11,222 posts)
2. Over 70 apps jobs $15 an hour or more. I have another interview today. That will make 3 this week.
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 12:08 PM
Aug 2021

The jobs I am applying to have 100-250 apps. People are looking to be able to pay monthly expenses and not be abused at work in customer service, or that is my case anyway. I may have to ultimately get a lower paid job serving the abusive public but doing all I can to not have to be in that position again.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Economy»Millions of Americans Are...