"The report suggests that the "low-hire, low-fire" job market remains in effect, with workers enjoying some job security but those out of work struggling to find new jobs. The moribund labor market stands in contrast with data showing solid economic growth, which topped 4% at an annual rate in last year's July-September quarter, the latest data available. Economists forecast growth slowed but remained solid in the final three months of 2025."
"A key question for this year is whether hiring will pickup to match healthy growth, or whether sluggish job gains will eventually drag down the economy. There is a third possibility: Automation and artificial intelligence could enable steady economic growth without creating many jobs. Further insights into that question will emerge Friday when the monthly jobs report for December will be released."
Businesses and government agencies posted 7.1 million open jobs at the end of November, down from 7.4 million in October. Layoffs declined, indicating firms are retaining workers even while adding fewer positions. Job postings were the fewest since September 2024 and the lowest outside that month in nearly five years. Openings fell sharply in shipping and warehousing, restaurants and hotels, and state and local government, while rising in retail and construction. Quits ticked higher to 3.16 million but remained historically low. Solid economic growth raises questions about whether hiring will catch up, slow the economy, or be offset by automation and AI.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]