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Laid-off workers are leaving unemployment benefits on the table

Apr 6, 2023
A lot of them don't even know they're eligible.
The University of Michigan's Luke Shaefer calls unemployment benefits “the most arcane and complicated” government program.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The class of 2023 is graduating into a challenging job market

Apr 5, 2023
The jobless rate for young workers has jumped since late 2021 and loan repayment is back on the table. Soon-to-be grads are scrambling.
New grads are entering a tougher hiring environment than last year's class. "There are jobs," says Wall Street Journal reporter Lindsay Ellis, but "it is a longer journey than many soon-to-be college grads would like."
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

How low unemployment lifts workers at the bottom

Mar 29, 2023
In "Moving the Needle: What Tight Labor Markets Do for the Poor," authors Newman and Jacobs advocate letting tight labor markets stay that way.
"When unemployment goes below about 4.5%, folks who've been out of work find work and keep work," said author Elisabeth Jacobs.
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February's rising unemployment rate is actually a positive sign, economists say

Mar 10, 2023
Growth in the number of people looking for work means the unemployment rate is rising for the right reasons, one economist says.
"People think this is a good time to be searching for a job," said Gus Faucher of PNC Financial Services Group.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

U.S. adds a robust 311,000 jobs despite Fed’s rate hikes

Mar 10, 2023
Employers added a higher-than-expected 311,000 jobs, while unemployment rose from 3.4% to 3.6%.
The 311,000 number is higher than most predictions, while unemployment rose from 3.4% to 3.6%.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

When it comes to inflation, monetary policy might not be getting the job done

Mar 9, 2023
"It's clear there have been some shifts in the economy that just make their policies less effective," says Neil Irwin of Axios.
On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell appeared before the Senate Banking Committee.
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Continuing unemployment claims, explained

Feb 23, 2023
Continuing claims for benefits fell by 37,000 for the week, according to the latest data from the Labor Department.
A "Join our team today!" sign posted at a UPS store early this month. Weekly jobless claims data suggests continuing strength in the job market.
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In a "restructuring" economy, which industries gained and lost jobs in 2022

Feb 8, 2023
Here are the industries that saw the biggest job gains and the ones still falling behind.
“It’s a large-scale restructuring, but the labor market goes through large-scale restructurings all the time," said Michael Montgomery of S&P Global Market Intelligence.
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Wage growth is slowing down. But is there an upside for workers?

Jan 31, 2023
Wages increased 1% in Q4. Inflation is also slowing. All that could impact whether — and by how much — the Fed hikes interest rates.
Wage growth slowed to 1% in Q4, but inflation has been slowing too.
Robyn Beck/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.
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