Labor Department

U.S. Adopts New Independent Contractor Rule
Workplace Issues

U.S. Adopts New Independent Contractor Rule

"At its core, the rule makes it easier to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees."
By Matthew Heller | January 7, 2021
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U.S. Consumer Spending Growth Slows to 0.5%
The Economy

U.S. Consumer Spending Growth Slows to 0.5%

Amid the surge in coronavirus infections, “We are increasingly worried that the monthly gains in consumption will be weaker."
By Matthew Heller | November 30, 2020
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Inflation Flat in October as Coronavirus Surges
The Economy

Inflation Flat in October as Coronavirus Surges

“With the explosion in virus numbers putting downward pressure on demand in the short-term, we expect inflation to remain subdued for a while yet."
By Matthew Heller | November 12, 2020
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U.S. Employers Add 638,000 Jobs in October
The Economy

U.S. Employers Add 638,000 Jobs in October

“We're only half dug out of our hole, and each month's pace of jobs growth has been slower than the last since July."
By Matthew Heller | November 6, 2020
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Weekly Jobless Claims Fall Slightly to 840,000
The Economy

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall Slightly to 840,000

"Hanging around the 800k+ level is still not a good place to be, especially going into the winter."
By Matthew Heller | October 8, 2020
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U.S. Job Gains Slow to 661,000 in September
The Economy

U.S. Job Gains Slow to 661,000 in September

“The pace of jobs recovery apparent in today’s report suggests that we will be counting the employment recovery in years, not months or quarters."
By Matthew Heller | October 2, 2020
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Unemployment Dips to 8.4%, Job Gains Slow
The Economy

Unemployment Dips to 8.4%, Job Gains Slow

The slowing job growth is “a warning that the recovery could go into reverse this fall without further government support.”
By Matthew Heller | September 7, 2020
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July Jump in Prices Eases Disinflation Fears
The Economy

July Jump in Prices Eases Disinflation Fears

Core inflation rose 0.6% last month, the largest gain since January 1991, as the disinflationary impact of the coronavirus continued to wear off.
By Matthew Heller | August 12, 2020
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U.S. Job Gains Slow to 1.8M in July
The Economy

U.S. Job Gains Slow to 1.8M in July

"The downturn was so big — the hole that was dug was so deep — that it will still take probably at least a couple of years to dig ourselves out."
By Matthew Heller | August 7, 2020
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Another 2.4M Workers File First-Time Jobless Claims
The Economy

Another 2.4M Workers File First-Time Jobless Claims

"The states may be opening back up, but the labor market is still closed for millions across America."
By Matthew Heller | May 21, 2020
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Core Inflation Posts Record 0.4% Drop in April
The Economy

Core Inflation Posts Record 0.4% Drop in April

The coronavirus crisis drove consumer prices into "a disinflationary shock" last month despite government efforts to stimulate the economy.
By Matthew Heller | May 12, 2020
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Virus Slams U.S. With Massive April Job Losses
The Economy

Virus Slams U.S. With Massive April Job Losses

“The jobs report from hell is here — one never seen before and unlikely to be seen again barring another pandemic or meteor hitting the earth."
By Matthew Heller | May 8, 2020
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Jobless Claims Hit Record 22M Over Four Weeks
The Economy

Jobless Claims Hit Record 22M Over Four Weeks

Weekly claims since the coronavirus shut down the economy now exceed the number of jobs added since the Great Recession.
By Matthew Heller | April 16, 2020
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U.S. Consumer Prices Tumble 0.4% in March
The Economy

U.S. Consumer Prices Tumble 0.4% in March

“Deflation is likely to take hold over the next few months as businesses slash prices in response to much lower demand from the coronavirus outbreak."
By Matthew Heller | April 10, 2020
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Weekly Jobless Claims Soar to Record 6.64M
The Economy

Weekly Jobless Claims Soar to Record 6.64M

Job losses amid the coronavirus pandemic amount to "a staggering, sudden blow to American workers never seen before in the U.S. economy."
By Matthew Heller | April 2, 2020
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