The red-hot labor market for lawyers in the United States is magnetizing Canadian lawyers eager to join their American counterparts on the quest for lucrative wage increases at U.S. firms. Canadian firms, meanwhile, have been slower to react with widespread wage adjustments, but we expect that to change in the coming months. Follow the money Overall ... READ MORE >
labor
Inflation and small firms: The restaurant squeeze is on
The recent surge in inflation is now a significant issue for smaller firms, and nowhere is this more evident than in the restaurant industry. While large firms can hedge volatility and medium-size firms can increase efficiencies to mitigate price increases, smaller firms don’t have as many resources yet still must contend with higher prices for both ... READ MORE >
Four ways retailers and restaurants can manage current inflation and labor pressures
As the economic recovery from the pandemic-induced recession continues, consumer demand is high and the opportunity exists for a strong holiday retail and restaurant season. But these sectors are facing two significant headwinds: inflation and challenges finding qualified labor. During the recession, there were many signals that demand would be strong ... READ MORE >
3 things to know in energy: OPEC+ stalemate, carbon capture, labor shortages
Biweekly, we highlight three things going on in the energy industry that we think you should know about. Our focus this week is on OPEC+ oil production discussions, the use of carbon capture projects, and labor challenges within the industry. Here’s the latest. 1. OPEC+ stalemate As the world deals with challenges related to rising demand and soaring ... READ MORE >
Labor market improvement is not a one-way street: jobless claims increase to 412,000
First-time jobless claims increased to 412,000 for the week ending June 12 from a revised 375,000 previously, the government said on Thursday. However, the top-line increase remains well below the 529,200 13-week moving average within the series, implying that conditions for further improvement remain intact. That being said, the recent six consecutive ... READ MORE >
3 things to know this week in energy: Oil prices spike, workforce diversity, Inter Pipeline
Biweekly, we highlight three things going on in the energy industry that we think you should know about. This week, we take a look at the driving forces behind the recent two-year high in oil prices, a new report on gender diversity in energy technology and services, and a bidding war over a Canadian energy infrastructure company. Here’s the latest. 1. Oil ... READ MORE >
Pandemic pressures leave women struggling to regain lost ground on jobs
During the pandemic, women have taken the brunt of the damage to the labor force, whether in the form of losing their jobs or working triple-duty at home with child care and education on top of their work obligations. Real wage differentials between men and women during the pandemic have turned into a chasm, with the gap increasing by more than 19% at the ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Number of unemployed persons per job falls to 2
Recovery of the domestic labor force continues as the number of unemployed persons per job opening in the United States fell to 1.95 in September while individuals continued to be recalled to work. Given the fact that 906,000 private sector workers were recalled in October with permanent job losses largely unchanged at 4.5 million, it is important to note ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Americans with no job for 27 weeks or more rises sharply
The number of Americans without a job for 27 weeks or more rose in August to the highest level in three years. The reason this matters? Labor market studies by the Federal Reserve show that individuals who experience joblessness for more than 26 weeks face increasing risk of becoming permanently detached from the labor force, contributing to structural ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Weekly initial jobless claims higher than expected
In a sobering surprise, the Labor Department reported on Thursday that initial jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 15 reached a higher-than-expected 1.1 million, a sign the road to economic recovery will be bumpy and volatile as the country struggles to gain footing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bloomberg consensus forecast was for a continued ... READ MORE >