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A tech company pledged to make "anti-racist" layoffs. What does that mean?

Sep 19, 2022
Communication platform Twilio told employees job cuts would be carried out through an "anti-racist/anti-oppression lens," to avoid disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Statistics show downsizing often makes workplaces less diverse.
In a letter to employees, Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson, left, said layoffs would be carried out through an anti-racist/anti-oppression lens.
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How long can the job market stay this hot?

Some laid-off workers are surprised at how fast they were able to find new positions, says Sarah Chaney Cambon of The Wall Street Journal.
"The job market is still this bright spot really and it's overall outperforming kind of the rest of the economy," said Sarah Chaney Cambon, an economics reporter for The Wall Street Journal.
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Unengaged workers are fired up about "quiet quitting"

Young workers' sense of "wanting to untether my job from my identity" has grown in the past year, The Journal's Lindsay Ellis reports.
During the pandemic, with stress and mental health problems widespread, more employees have become less committed to their jobs.
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Apple is the latest tech firm to cut staff. What do the layoffs tell us about the economy?

Aug 17, 2022
In some cases, it’s about responding to competition. In others, it’s a way of bracing for a possible economic downturn.
Apple recently laid off roughly 100 workers in its recruiting division, according to Bloomberg. It joins other tech companies that have decided to slow hiring.
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Layoffs may be on the horizon. Is the unemployment insurance system ready?

Aug 4, 2022
States are upgrading antiquated technology. But there are still big disparities among states.
Though states are investing to upgrade unemployment systems, there are still wide disparities among their processes and the benefits they provide.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Job openings are still near record highs — and still outnumber applicants

Jun 1, 2022
There are almost two job openings for every unemployed person.
There are almost two openings for every unemployed person. That's good for workers but may be stoking inflation.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Job market looks strong as 2021 ends. 2022 looks uncertain.

Dec 30, 2021
Weekly unemployment claims are still hovering at the lowest level we've seen since 1969.
Though first-time unemployment claims are at their lowest point in about 50 years, omicron could disrupt the job market.
Patrick T. Fallon via Getty Images

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Will companies choose to rehire laid-off employees or hire new ones?

Dec 23, 2020
When they're ready to start hiring, businesses have to consider costs and legal issues.
A flight attendant passes out refreshments. Airlines are among the industries that could rehire workers once pandemic relief is distributed.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Older workers worry about the prospect of finding a new job

Oct 20, 2020
Age discrimination is illegal, but experts say it’s still rampant.
According to the latest Marketplace-Edison Research Poll, 30% of workers 55 and older aren’t confident at all about the prospect of finding a new job if they needed one.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

One key to fixing the economy? Getting low-wage workers help

Christopher Low, chief economist at FHN Financial, says low-wage workers are suffering the bulk of job losses — the opposite of what happened in 2008.
A pedestrian walks by a San Francisco restaurant closed because of COVID-19.
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