Media Relations Update July 17, 2020

As the world faces a changing political, economic, and social landscape, ALZA Strategies is committed to keeping you in the loop on how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting public affairs. We hope you remain healthy and safe during these trying times.

Job Loss and Unemployment During COVID-19

The coronavirus brought with it, among other things, a devastating recession that prompted widespread job loss across the United States. As Americans try to navigate a new normal in health, children’s education, and everyday tasks, they are also affected by the sharp downsizing of workforce economies. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce recently released a report that tracks job loss by education, sex, race, age, industry, and occupation. The findings reveal significant losses for women, individuals without a degree, and workers of color.

Since January, cumulative job losses have totaled 23 million with the vast majority of losses hitting those with only a high school diploma (46%) or some college (24%). The report found that job loss was, in many cases, affected by education and whether or not individuals had a college degree.

Across education levels, women have higher rates of job loss than men , an occurrence that the report says is likely a result of occupational segregation. Positions in the community and social service sector – largely occupied by women – were hit the hardest by job loss. Whereas positions in male dominated fields like transportation and moving hit men the hardest.

White workers account for 64% of the workforce but suffered only 51% of cumulative job losses. By contrast, Black and Latino workers had higher shares of job losses than their shares of employment. Latinos make up 17% of the workforce but suffered 24% of job losses, and Blacks suffered 15% of job losses despite only making up 11% of the workforce.

The report also found that job loss varied among workers with postsecondary degrees , depending on the sector, and that the leisure and hospitality industry were among those hit hardest by job loss.

Roger Salazar, President rsalazar@alzamedia.com | (916) 284-1255 Hilary McLean, Partner hilary@alzamedia.com | (916) 203-7274

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