Unemployment Rate
4.1%
The unemployment rate changed slightly from 4.2%, and total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 254,000 in September. Gains occurred in food services and drinking places, health care, government, social assistance, and construction. Average hourly earnings increased by 13 cents (0.4%) to $35.36. The average workweek for all employees edged down by 0.1 hours to 34.2 hours. For the third consecutive month, the labor force participation rate was 62.7%.
According to the American Staffing Association, temporary help employment was 1.68% of total nonfarm employment in September.
Major Industry Employment
Notable Gains and Losses
- Leisure and Hospitality: +78,000
- Health Care and Social Assistance: +71,700
- Government: +31,000
- Construction: +25,000
- Professional and Business Services: +17,000
- Manufacturing: -7,000
- Transportation and Warehousing: -8,600
- Temporary Help Services: -13,800
Read the full report at BLS.gov
Workforce and Economic News
Nearly Two-Thirds of Professionals Are Overwhelmed By Workplace Change
LinkedIn — October 2, 2024
The world of work is changing, and it’s overwhelming 64% of professionals globally. Proving they can work from home successfully, integrating AI into their work, and managing multi-generational teams are three of the most significant challenges, according to a survey from LinkedIn. Read more at News.LinkedIn.com.
Frontline Managers Struggling to Find Quality Talent and Facing Increased Burnout
Axonify — October 3, 2024
A new survey shows 44% of frontline managers are hiring more new workers this year to provide additional support or bridge skill gaps of current staff during seasonal demand. Despite recruitment tactics like promoting a safe work environment, providing training/upskilling, and offering higher salaries than last year, 61% of frontline managers report worse quality of applicants this year. Read more at Axonify.com.
America Employed
U.S. Employers Fight Back Against “Lazy Girl Jobs” Trends with Breaks, Mental Health Resources, and AI
ExpressPros.com — September 25, 2024
In the eyes of U.S. hiring managers, workforce productivity is high. But social media trends like “Lazy Girl Jobs” and “Bare Minimum Mondays” could spell trouble as job seekers admit these fads are affecting everything from career development to their mental health. This is according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
More than 9 in 10 hiring managers (95%) feel employees at their company are productive, with more than half reporting employees are very productive (54%)—an increase from the Spring 2022 survey (48%, very productive). And job seekers agree. Ninety-seven percent report they are productive at work, with two-thirds saying they are very productive (67%). Read more at ExpressPros.com.
Open Dialogue a Must: 96% of Job Seekers Demand Honesty from New Managers
ExpressPros.com — September 11, 2024
Honesty in the workplace is critical to almost all U.S. job seekers, as 96% say it’s at least somewhat important they can be honest with new managers, while 36% believe open communication is absolutely essential.
Additionally, more than two-thirds of job seekers (69%) agree that employees should feel comfortable discussing personal issues with their manager if it impacts their day-to-day work. This is according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. Read more at ExpressPros.com.
