New Mastercard partnership provides flexible benefits to gig and independent workers
Through the partnership, employers can offer health, dental and vision benefits to contract employees through their credit cards.
Economic news
Working from home is here to stay, so let’s get it right
Though it was initially necessary to keep employees from getting sick, remote work promises to make people more productive and happier while helping the environment and preserving infrastructure.
U.S. jobs rise less than forecast as economic rebound downshifts
Persistently high jobless claims, along with this week’s announcements of tens of thousands of layoffs, indicate widespread economic pain.
The first female recession threatens to wipe out decades of progress for U.S. women
As many as tens of millions of women may never return to the labor force, even after a vaccine is found. Altogether, global gross domestic product could be $1 trillion less in 2030 than it would be without a gender unemployment gap.
Why keeping women employed during COVID-19 boosts business and the economy
“This isn't just an issue for women. It's an issue for families, and it's an issue for the government and economies because it drives GDP,” says Jennifer Reynolds, a former investment banker and CEO of Toronto Finance International.
Job gains face a tougher road ahead without stimulus aid
Chances of further employment and economic gains are diminishing without the widespread stimulus payments and small-business aid that have sustained incomes and spending.
School closures could keep 18 million parents from seeking jobs
School closures will continue to impact the labor force participation rate for women, who generally take on a greater share of childcare obligations.
Millions of U.S. jobs to be lost for years, IRS projections show
The Internal Revenue Service projects that lower levels of employment in the U.S. could persist for years, showcasing the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Uber, Lyft must convert drivers into employees
Uber and Lyft were ordered to convert their California drivers from independent contractors to employees with benefits but the ruling won’t be the last word, as the companies vowed to appeal the preliminary injunction.
U.S. jobless claims fall more than forecast to pandemic low
Initial jobless claims in regular state programs fell by 249,000 to 1.19 million in the week ended Aug. 1, Labor Department data showed Thursday.
U.S. initial jobless claims fall, ease worry of worsening market
Initial jobless claims in regular state programs fell by 99,000 一 the most in a month 一 to 1.31 million in the week ended July 4, Labor Department data showed Thursday.
U.S. jobless claims continue gradual decline, remain elevated
Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits gradually eased last week despite a stream of business reopenings, underscoring the longer-term labor-market challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Initial jobless claims for regular state programs totaled 1.54 million in the week ended June 6, down from 1.9 million in the prior week, Labor Department figures showed Thursday. Applications […]
Americans again file by the millions for unemployment benefits
Since efforts to the contain COVID-19 pandemic rapidly shut down the U.S. economy in mid-March, about 38.6 million initial unemployment insurance claims have been filed under state programs.
COVID-19 will disrupt many established workplace trends
Fears of a rapid, massive displacement of humans by robots haven’t yet been realized, but machines have been taking over human tasks for centuries, and the pandemic seems likely to accelerate this process.
Delivery robot operators are also working from home
Postmates began developing autonomous delivery robots in 2017, and now fleet operators have transitioned to operating them from home.
Jobless rate surges to 14.7% in worst-ever labor reversal
Joblessness now stands at the most since the Great Depression era of the 1930s after the coronavirus pandemic brought the U.S. economy to a standstill.
U.S. companies cut a record 20.2 million jobs, ADP says
The Labor Department’s figures are projected to show a jobless rate surging to 16%.
Gig workers get fiscal aid as stimulus catches up with times
With governments bracing for economic contractions and joblessness not seen since the Great Depression, more of them are doling out part of their $8 trillion-plus stimulus to prop up the gig economy.
Millennials face second age of underemployment
The International Labour Organization expects 195 million full-time job losses globally, and forecasts a “significant rise” in underemployment.
Jobless claims at 4.43 million in labor rout’s fifth week
The five-week total for unemployment claims reached 26.5 million in the steepest downturn for the U.S. labor market since the Great Depression.
