Feb 5, 2021

The most important 4-letter word in this economy: jobs

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been worse for women and people of color, particularly in the service sector. Sarah Silbiger/Getty Image

Today's show is all about jobs — or lack thereof. Plus, a job counselor's story of trying to find one.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

The jobs report: by the numbers

by Mitchell Hartman

Feb 5, 2021

The 12.5 million jobs deficit, the 3.9 million low-wage service jobs gone, the 23 million un- and underemployed.

Any monthly jobs report can be dizzying. The one for January is a little more so.

Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID & Unemployment

Jobs report reveals alarming level of long-term unemployment

by Kimberly Adams

Feb 5, 2021

This has many economists predicting the economic pain of the pandemic will last long after the economy "recovers."

A new study predicts it will take women and people of color an extra two years to reach pre-pandemic employment levels.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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The Weekly Wrap: More on jobs

Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal talks with ADP chief economist Nela Richardson and journalist David Gura about the macro outlook for the economy and stimulus efforts.

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COVID-19

What happens if some relief funds are not spent?

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Feb 5, 2021

Leftover PPP money is in an account. But other expenses, like unemployment, are paid only as needed.

The prospect of unspent PPP loans came up in Senate negotiations over COVID-19 relief spending.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

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What counts as a small business, anyway?

by Justin Ho

Feb 5, 2021

The federal government uses a 500-employee cutoff to define small businesses. Turns out that definition’s pretty contentious.

When most Americans think of "small business," they think of places like Eso Won Books in Los Angeles, with 20 employees or fewer.

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

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My Economy

Attention job seekers: “We all have worth, we all have value”

by Maria Hollenhorst

Feb 5, 2021

A story about job hunting from a job-hunting counselor. “I learned a valuable lesson,” says Carolyn Kennard of Texas.

Carolyn Kennard, a regional facilitator at the Houston-Galveston division of nonprofit Workforce Solutions, leads a career workshop for high school students in 2019.

Workforce Solutions – Houston, Texas

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Music from the episode

20 Grand Palace RJD2

Scenic Drive Poolside

Cuffed Nick Hakim

Hate It Or Love It The Game, 50 Cent

Back To You Selena Gomez

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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