Weekly Hourly Hiring Report - 5/25/2021

How COVID-19 is affecting hourly work

Weekly Hourly Hiring Report 5/25/21

Highlights

This continues to be the most competitive hourly labor market of this generation—with far more open positions than people looking for work. Overall jobs are up 62% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 1% month over month growth and 103% year over year growth. Yet, the number of active job seekers remains flat compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Across the country, restrictions are being lifted and people are returning to pre-pandemic levels of traveling, shopping and socializing. In fact, according to a recent AAA travel forecast, more than 37 million Americans are expected to travel this Memorial Day, a 60% increase over last year’s activity. But while business is booming heading into the holiday weekend, the struggle for employers to find workers remains.

More states, now 23 total, have announced plans to end the $300 per week federal unemployment supplement, prior to the September 6, 2021 expiration set by the American Rescue Plan Act. The Century Foundation estimates that more than 2 million people will lose their benefits early. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in job searches in states ending these benefits. Colorado was the latest of states announcing plans to incentivize people to return to work with a $1,600 bonus for those finding a job in May, and $1,200 for those finding work in June. However, for workers sitting on the sidelines, it’s not just about unemployment benefits. Of workers surveyed, those unemployed but not seeking employment cited reasons including: family obligations, burn out, waiting for increased vaccine adoption and lack of jobs fitting their skillset. 

In addition to increased wages, businesses continue to put employees first in an effort to attract and retain talent, with a focus on mental health and professional development. Businesses across the country are providing paid days off after noticing pandemic-related stress building among employees. Additionally, businesses like Amazon have launched programs that provide employees access to personalized, convenient and confidential mental health services. Waste Management, Chipotle, Bright Horizons and Starbucks have all invested in professional development—offering access to continued or higher education for many of their hourly employees.

Jobs

All industry data is from 3/2/20-5/24/21

Here are the latest job numbers by industry:

Quick service restaurant (QSR)  jobs are down 26% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 2% month over month growth and a 2% year over year decline.

Sit-down restaurant jobs are down 28% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 4% month over month growth and 32% year over year growth.

Warehouse and logistics jobs are up 200% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing an 8% month over month decline and a 107% year over year decline.

Retail jobs are down 8% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 9% month over month growth and 41% year over year growth.

Grocery jobs are up 80% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 43% month over month growth and 53% year over year growth.

Hospitality jobs are up 202% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 49% month over month growth and 276% year over year growth.

On demand jobs are up 147% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing a 5% month over month decline and 215% year over year growth.

Convenience store jobs are down 25% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 4% month over month growth and 4% year over year growth.

Healthcare jobs are up 97% compared to pre-pandemic norms, seeing 31% month over month growth and 98% year over year growth.

Workers

Google searches for hourly jobs are up 8% year over year.

The bottom line

We’ll continue to be your best resource for hourly job market insights as we collectively navigate towards our new normal and beyond.