business services

OKLAHOMA CITY — The majority of unemployed Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic is most responsible for their job loss and continued unemployment, which is becoming more daunting as time passes.

This is according to a newly released survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. An expanded analysis of the full results, including survey methodology, can be found here.

More than 2 in 5 unemployed adults (41%) have been out of work for six months or less, becoming unemployed during the pandemic. The most common reason they are unemployed is their job or position was eliminated due to COVID-19 (33%), followed by they quit (12%) or were laid off (11%).

The national survey of 1,504 U.S. unemployed adults ages 18 and older was conducted online by The Harris Poll between Oct. 15 and Oct. 28, 2020. It offers a detailed, in-depth look at who is unemployed and why.

Efforts Deteriorating in Job Search

Finding a job is the top priority for the majority of unemployed adults (70%). On average, they spend 12 hours a week looking for work. Unemployed adults applied to 11 jobs in the previous month but only had one interview, on average.

Grim Financial Outlook

More than 2 in 3 unemployed adults (69%) do not feel financially secure right now, and 70% believe they do not have enough savings to survive unemployment much longer. The most common sources of income during this time are savings (40%) or financial support from friends and family members (29%).

Relying on Unemployment Benefits

Looking at national and state unemployment benefits, 3 in 4 (75%) agree there is not enough financial support provided to those individuals who are unemployed, especially given that more than half (56%) used to be the breadwinner for their household.

Twenty-seven percent of unemployed adults report they currently rely on unemployment compensation benefits. The average income from unemployment benefits among those receiving them is $828 a month.

Accepting Less than Ideal Job Offers

Because of difficulties in the current job process and increased competition from other job seekers, 85% would be willing to accept some aspects of a job that may be less than ideal if they were offered a job right now. If offered a job right now, they would most commonly be willing to accept a job not in their desired field (47%), that requires long hours (35%) and a more junior position/title (29%).

About the Survey

• Memo from The Harris Poll
• Study by The Harris Poll
• Infographic

A Call for an Education Revolution Aligning Classrooms and Careers. 

OKLAHOMA CITY — 2020 has been anything but normal for students and teachers with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many schools across the nation prepare to resume classes virtually, a new white paper from Express Employment Professionals explores why now is the perfect time to revolutionize the education system.

The new white paper dives deeper into a survey commissioned by Express in conjunction with The Harris Poll that revealed nearly 9 in 10 employees (87%) agree a whole new approach to education, skills training and learning—an “education revolution”—is needed to prepare people for the workforce. And of those employees, 40% “strongly agree” with that sentiment.

The key challenges survey respondents identified include:

1. The gap between skills needed and skills taught
2. The lack of work study or earn-and-learn opportunities
3. The cost and utility of college and higher education

The rapid changes of this year only further revealed what was ultimately not working with the education system before the pandemic—when too many students entered the workforce unprepared for the jobs available to them. This unwanted disruption is a challenge but also an opportunity to refocus curriculum on what Americans say matters for their careers.

Regardless of whether government policy changes are made to address these concerns, it is critical for everyone—employers, educators, policymakers, students and more—to have a clearer understanding of employees’ relationship with and perspectives on the education system, as well as what each can do in response.

Other notable topics in the white paper include:

• Confidence in preparation to handle aspects of work
• Combining education and experience
• Accessibility and affordability of college
• Lifelong learning
• Upskilling

“Historically, during difficult times is often when a society sees the most innovation. This pandemic has exposed which jobs are absolutely essential to the economy, and we need to make sure we are preparing students adequately for the workforce of today and tomorrow,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said. “Now is the time for an education revolution.”