Layoffs are slowing but unemployment keeps rising. At least, that’s the word from the state’s Employment Security Department today, which reported a 9.5 unemployment rate statewide for December — about a half a percentage point higher than November.
State officials speculated that part of the uptick in jobless numbers could be caused by discouraged workers starting job searches again. Workers are only counted as part of the labor force if they’re employed or actively seeking employment, so renewed efforts could translate to a higher rate.
Read more about state and county numbers here, or view the ESD report here.
Small businesses have been pressured to start the country’s hiring engine again. So, I’m curious: Do you know a business that’s hiring despite the downturn? Let us know, and maybe we’ll write about it.
Know a small business you think we should write about? Contact Herald writer Amy Rolph at arolph@heraldnet.com.
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