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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

With salaries rising, how much do minimum wage increases matter?

Jan 4, 2023
Private-sector wages are up about 5% over the past year. But gains guaranteed by government can't be lost during an economic downturn.
Workers in low-wage sectors like fast food have gained higher pay in the hot job market.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

U.S. employers keep hiring briskly even in face of rate hikes

Nov 4, 2022
The strongest gains were in health care and manufacturing. The 261,000 jobs added beat expectations.
A "Now Hiring" sign is displayed in front of a FedEx store on October 07, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

What indicators is the Fed looking for in the job market?

Nov 4, 2022
Chair Jerome Powell says there's still too much demand for workers for inflation to come down.
The Federal Reserve wants to see a "normalized" job market.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Why this Buffalo manufacturer is "a little bit excited" about an economic slowdown

The tight job market means it's been years since Matt Gehman has hired new qualified employees at MMG Industrial and Metal Locking Service.
"We cannot hire people and bring them in and plug them in. It’s 100% on-the-job training at our expense," says Matt Gehman, above at his facility in Buffalo, New York.
Brandon Watson

What's with all the hiring?

Nov 2, 2022
Employers keep looking for workers to meet consumer demand, though there are signs the labor market may cool down.
"Most of what I hear from employers is that they're struggling to find talent," said Amber Clayton with the Society for Human Resource Management.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Pay transparency is now the law of the land in New York City

Nov 1, 2022
Starting today, any company in New York City with at least four employees will be required to include salary ranges in their job postings.
A 'help wanted' sign is displayed in a Manhattan store on in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

What would the job market look like if there'd been no COVID pandemic?

Oct 7, 2022
Different in many ways. But not that different.
Because of the pandemic's health dangers, many baby boomers have left the labor force.
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There are fewer job openings in the U.S. That could be a sign that the Fed's rate hikes are working.

Oct 4, 2022
There's less demand for workers in retail and many service sectors.
JOLTS numbers show job openings particularly shrank in the retail sector.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Old Navy

A veteran navigates life amid job loss and high inflation

Sep 13, 2022
After being laid off, marketing professional Collin Cook has been pitching himself as a "Swiss Army knife." He's had mixed results.
"You literally go through the five stages of grief" after being laid off, said Collin Cook, who's had trouble finding the right job as a generalist in the marketing field.
David McNew/Getty Images