With 10 million more Americans still unemployed compared to last February, the big question is “When will the jobs come back?”
The good news is that it looks like we can expect an increase in employment sooner rather than later. A January survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals found that almost half (46%) of hiring decision-makers expect to increase hiring in the next few months. Meanwhile, 43% expect no changes, while just 7% anticipate layoffs.
“The good news of increased hiring is much welcomed after a tough year, and if circumstances continue to improve, I anticipate more businesses will be ready to bring on additional employees in the coming months,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said in a press release. “Getting people back to work, safely, should be the number one priority in rebuilding the economy in 2021.”
Regional representatives from Express note that they have a high number of job openings, but challenges remain, such as the difficulty of convincing workers in some industries to go back to work. According to Lori Gajdzik, an Illinois branch manager whose office has received a lot of requests for light industrial positions, “Clients are back to placing large orders for employees and now we have to figure out how to entice applicants because many are still hesitant to join or rejoin the workforce.”
As businesses reopen and additional PPP loans are distributed, companies across the country will be in a better position to hire. And as vaccines continue to roll out and more safety precautions are taken, workers will feel safer returning to work.
