February’s private sector job growth plummeted to 77,000, significantly lower than January’s revised 186,000 and the predicted 148,000, marking the weakest increase since July. This slowdown, coupled with concerns over rising inflation from President Trump’s tariffs and weakening consumer spending, fuels anxieties about a broader economic deceleration. While annual pay growth remained steady at 4.7%, the hiring slump suggests employers are hesitant due to prevailing economic uncertainty. This weak jobs report follows negative sentiment indicators, raising the specter of stagflation.
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California fast food workers are now earning $20 per hour, but franchise owners are responding by cutting hours. This cycle of increasing wages and reducing hours seems to be the new norm in the fast-food industry. The logic behind this response is confusing; cutting hours means there are fewer employees working, which ultimately leads to a decrease in revenue. So, are these franchisees shooting themselves in the foot?
It’s important to note that the $20 minimum wage in California only affects chain restaurants with 60 or more locations, not all fast food workers in the state. However, stories of franchisees cutting hours for their staff have been making headlines.… Continue reading
The US economy added an impressive 353,000 jobs in January, marking a strong start to 2024. As I scroll through Reddit posts, I see many people expressing frustration and uncertainty about finding employment. However, it is important to dig deeper into the sectors that are experiencing significant growth.
One key sector that is contributing to the job surge is healthcare, with approximately 33% of the added jobs in this field. As someone who works in hospice care, I can attest to the constant need for healthcare professionals. In fact, I receive job offers almost every week, highlighting the high demand in this sector.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker