We are just beginning to move into what we hope will be a “post-COVID” world. At the same time, responding to race-related tragedies, companies are struggling with how to address the structural inequities infecting our society. The two issues tie together.
Right now, there are 9.3 million unfilled jobs in the US, the highest number in history. Earlier this year, job openings increased by 8%, hires by only 3.7%. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, 44% of small businesses could not fill open jobs this April. If your employer is having difficulty hiring, a combination of Circa’s job-finding resources and staffing policy changes such as those outlined below will go a long way towards meeting business needs – and doing good.
Theories about why it is hard to hire abound. Some say that enhanced unemployment benefits are keeping people at home – but the largest recent increase in hires are in lower paying jobs. Many schools and daycare centers have yet to reopen, which may keep people in caregiver roles for now. Whatever the reason, with a forecast that the US economy will grow 6% this year, demand for employment is likely to remain high – and openings remain hard to fill.
In 2018 and 2019, when overall unemployment was under 4%, minority employment increased substantially. The Federal Reserve concluded that this was because in a tight labor market, employers tried harder than before to hire from historically marginalized groups. These gains were lost with COVID. They can be reproduced, and bettered, if employers keep in mind what has impeded minority employment in the past, and adjust hiring practices accordingly.
Employers should ensure that they both reach out to and do not needlessly disqualify members of minority groups:
Of course, hire the best candidates. The best candidate may be the minority candidate you evaluate for potential. The extra effort you put in to hiring those historically marginalized will help our society, your employer and, of course, those you help mainstream into American life.