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A man pushes carts as a hiring sign shows at a Jewel Osco grocery store in Deerfield, Ill., Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Associated Press

Gripped by surging pandemic, U.S. employers cut back on hiring

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Most experts say the economy and job mar- expanded unemployment benefits, more small
AP Economics Writer ket won't be able to fully recover until the virus business loans and aid to state and local gov-
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the viral pandemic can be controlled with an effective and widely ernments. President Donald Trump has voiced
accelerating across the country, America's used vaccine. And the picture could worsen support for more financial assistance, though
employers sharply scaled back their hiring last before it improves. "The recovery is not insulated key differences between the two sides remain.
month, adding 245,000 jobs, the fewest since from the effects of the pandemic," said Daniel Before the pandemic, last month's job gain
April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown. Zhao, senior economist at employment website would have been considered healthy. But the
At the same time, the unemployment rate fell to Glassdoor. "This is the calm before the storm. We U.S. economy is still nearly 10 million jobs below
a still-high 6.7%, from 6.9% in October as many face a long and difficult winter ahead." its pre-pandemic level, with a rising propor-
people stopped looking for work and were no The jobs slowdown comes at a particularly tion of the unemployed describing their jobs as
longer counted as unemployed, the Labor De- fraught time. Two enhanced federal unem- gone for good. Faster hiring is needed to ensure
partment said. November's job gain was down ployment benefit programs are set to expire at that people who were laid off during this spring
drastically from a 610,000 gain in October. the end of this month — just as viral cases are can quickly get back to work. There is also evi-
Friday's report provided the latest evidence surging and colder weather is shutting down dence that the pandemic is inflicting long-term
that the job market and economy are faltering outdoor dining and many public events. Unless damage on millions of workers. People who
in the face of a virus that has been shattering Congress enacts another rescue aid package, have been out of work for six months or more
daily records for confirmed infections. Econom- more than 9 million unemployed people will — one definition of long-term unemployment
ic activity is likely to slow further with health offi- be left without any jobless aid, state or feder- — now make up nearly 40% of the jobless, the
cials warning against all but essential travel and al, beginning after Christmas. Renewed efforts highest such proportion in nearly seven years.
states and cities limiting gatherings, restricting in Congress to reach a deal have picked up The long-term unemployed typically face a
restaurant dining and reducing the hours and momentum. A bipartisan group of senators has harder time finding new jobs.
capacity of bars, stores and other businesses. proposed a $900 billion plan that would include Continued on Page 2