Unemployment

The States That Saw Unemployment Rise or Fall in July

Fourteen states saw significant drops in unemployment, according to new federal data, as the Biden administration touted a record-high number of states with jobless rates at or below 3%.

  • By Bill Lucia

More States Are Forgoing Extra Federal Food Aid

At least 16 states have opted out of receiving millions in pandemic food aid.

  • By Kristian Hernández, Stateline

States Could Keep a Share of Recovered Unemployment Payments Under GOP Plan

The perk is part of new Republican legislation meant to force states to pursue more of the billions of dollars in benefits they wrongly paid during the pandemic.

  • By Kery Murakami

States Need to Invest in Their Unemployment Systems, Labor Secretary Says

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told congressional lawmakers that the federal government also has to contribute to upgrading the system that the Government Accountability Office deemed a poorly performing government program.

  • By Natalie Alms

A State Tries to Attract Public Workers Who Have Resume Gaps

In Utah, a first-of-its kind program provides training and mentorship for people taking government jobs after time away from the workforce.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

10 Reasons Workers Are Quitting Their Jobs

Low salaries are just one reason for record-high turnover, according to a recent report.

  • By Jean Dimeo

Labor Dept. Pilot Taps State Data for a New Look at Who is Getting Unemployment Benefits

Data on access to unemployment insurance broken down by demographics can help program administrators make sure that they help everyone entitled to the benefit access it, the Labor Department says.

  • By Natalie Alms

States Seek Waiver for $380M in Unemployment Loan Interest

The push for a break from the federal government on the borrowing costs comes as Republicans in Congress are increasingly scrutinizing aid for states.

  • By Kery Murakami

How the Labor Department is Combatting Unemployment Fraud

The department says it's working on new technology fixes after criminals siphoned off billions in improper benefit payments during the pandemic.

  • By Kery Murakami

Republicans Complain Biden Let States ‘Off the Hook’ With Unemployment Fraud

The GOP lawmakers are arguing states and the federal Labor Department need to do more to prevent theft of the benefits and to recoup improper payments.

  • By Kery Murakami

How Managers Can Significantly Reduce Employee Turnover

About 52% of exiting employees say their manager or organization could have prevented them from leaving, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

3 US Cities Win Bloomberg Global Mayors Challenge

Cities in New Jersey, Arizona and Minnesota were selected for their unique programs to help residents get jobs and to accelerate opioid treatment.

  • By Andre Claudio
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The Great Resignation: Historical Data and a Deeper Analysis Show It’s Not as Great as Screaming Headlines Suggest

COMMENTARY | While the number of U.S. workers quitting their jobs in 2021 was higher than normal, it isn’t quite as big as it seems, because large numbers of them have been quitting for years.

  • By Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation

Lurking Behind Lackluster Jobs Gain Are a Stagnating Labor Market and the Threat of Omicron

The job market continued to improve in December, but a stagnating labor pool will pose more challenges for employers in 2022.

  • By Christopher Decker, The Conversation

8 States Ask for Further Interest Reprieve on Unemployment Loans

An interest waiver on the federal loans to states expired in September. Now states that face millions in borrowing costs are looking for more of a break.

  • By Bill Lucia

Report: Immigrants Could Help Revive the Middle Class

Allowing more foreign-born people into the U.S. could help solve the country’s labor-force challenges and catalyze upward mobility for American-born workers, according to Brookings.

  • By Andre Claudio

'A Significant Wave of Modernization' Coming to Unemployment Systems

More than $87 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims were filed with states nationwide since the pandemic began, which is prompting states to overhaul their antiquated systems.

  • By Sharon O'Malley

Quitting Your Job or Thinking About Joining the ‘Great Resignation’? Here’s What an Employment Lawyer Advises

A record number of Americans are quitting their jobs. But before you opt to join them, you should consider the risks and costs.

  • By Elizabeth C. Tippett, The Conversation

There Are More Jobs Than Jobless People in 42 States

The labor shortage is by one measure the most acute since 1968.

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

States Decide if Workers Fired Over Vaccine Mandates Can Collect Unemployment

When employers fire people because they fail to follow company policy, employees are generally not eligible for benefits. But three states have or could make non compliant workers eligible.

  • By Andrea Noble

Surging Catalytic Converter Thefts Spur State Crackdowns

The pollution control devices contain precious metals worth thousands of dollars per ounce.

  • By Jenni Bergal, Stateline