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The Class of 2023 enters the workforce

May 30, 2023
As the job market starts to cool, young grads are learning the ropes.
Zoe Bennett graduated from the University of Alabama in May, and will be starting a new job as an environmental engineer in June.
Courtesy of Zoe Bennett

4 of 5 “prime age” people are in workforce, highest since 2001

May 29, 2023
The ratio covers people 25 to 54 years old. The strong participation means employers looking to hire may have a hard time finding workers.
With the labor market still hot, industries like hospitality and retail may struggle to attract workers unless they boost wages.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Layoffs are up, first-time jobless claims are down. What gives?

Jan 23, 2023
The job market is still tight, so many who've lost jobs rejoin the workforce fast. Others aren't eager to deal with the unemployment insurance system.
Layoffs have so far been concentrated in the tech sector, but the overall unemployment trend has remained near decade-lows.
Eblis/Getty Images

Has the drop in immigration contributed to inflation?

Jan 20, 2023
Immigrants have accounted for a major share of labor force growth for years, increasing production, which keeps inflation lower, experts say.
Immigration to the U.S. dropped dramatically during the pandemic. Above, new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Massachusetts on Jan. 5.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Rebooting a multibillion-dollar business after tens of thousands of layoffs

Nov 1, 2022
Jerry and Lou Jacobs, co-CEOs of global hospitality company Delaware North, say inflation is a bigger concern than labor right now.
Jerry, left, and Lou Jacobs are co-CEOs of Buffalo-based company Delaware North. Inflation requires the business to be agile and flexible, Lou Jacobs says.
Brandon Watson

How "long COVID" is impacting the labor force

Sep 13, 2022
A new Stanford study found that long-haul COVID and other COVID-related health issues have led at least half a million workers to leave the job market.
Getty Images

More people looked for jobs in August, easing labor market pressures

Sep 2, 2022
But the share of the population in the job market is still about a percentage point below the level of February 2020.
Labor force participation among women in the 25-to-54 age group has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but that's not true of women overall.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Small businesses are having a hard time attracting and keeping workers

May 4, 2022
Because bigger businesses can offer more.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees lost 120,000 jobs in April.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

What's stopping so many people from heading back to work? It's not just COVID.

Feb 4, 2022
Child care issues and untenable work options play a role.
There are plenty of things holding people back from taking a bevy of available jobs.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Omicron worries could keep some workers out of labor force

Dec 2, 2021
There are signs that health concerns, particularly for older Americans, are decreasing interest in being employed or “unretiring.”
Workers over 65 were the fastest-growing segment of the labor force pre-COVID but have retired at an accelerated pace over the last two years.
alvarez via Getty Images