Americans applied for fewer unemployment benefits at the end of 2019, the Labor Department announced Thursday. The number dropped by 2,000 to 222,000 in the seven days up until December 28, although the four-week average ticked up by 4,750 to 233,250.
The report beat expectations that had predicted 225,000 new claims, according to Reuters. The result marks the third consecutive weekly decline.
“I think we’re definitely going to see slightly smaller growth month by month than what we saw in 2019 and that’s consistent with economists expectations’ of the macroeconomy weakening slightly,” in the labor market, Beth Akers, Manhattan Institute senior fellow, told Cheddar.
She will be keeping an eye on manufacturing trends and changes in policy regarding trade for indications about how job numbers will grow (or shrink) in 2020.
“If you’re looking to something to be concerned about, you can look at the four-week moving average, which is up from what it’s been over the course of the year,” Akers said. “But, by and large, these are really strong, positive numbers for the labor market.”
Cheddar News senior reporter, Michelle Castillo joined Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, for a ride in the new ID.Buzz electric van at South by Southwest. Keogh touched on issues from the auto giant's commitment to electrification and achieving carbon neutrality to the need for more charging infrastructure to support the electric vehicle wave. "We made a commitment to be CO2 neutral, and I think the reason it is, simplistically is, we're the world's largest car company. We're responsible for 1 percent of global CO2 emissions, and frankly, leaders have to lead and so that's what we want to do," he said.
Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code and author of "Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think), joined Cheddar to discuss the many challenges for women in the workplace after the upheaval caused by the pandemic and the solutions she presents.
Companies are leaning towards hybrid workforces due to the pandemic as a means of bringing back workers to the office — especially women employees. Head of HR technology at Capital One, Maureen Jules-Perez, joined Cheddar News to talk about initiatives and technology that the bank is taking to set up a successful hybrid workplace. "Do we have the experiences or the spaces for everyone to feel belonging or included? Do we feel heard? And of course, when it comes to building products, we have all the different, diverse perspectives and thoughts and ideas being incorporated to have the optimal solution or delivery," she said.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Monday laid out a proposal that would require businesses to disclose the emissions they produce. Kathleen Rogers, CEO & President at EARTHDAY.ORG, joined Cheddar News to break down the implications of this historic step.
Electric car manufacturer Tesla opened its first European factory on the outskirts of Berlin in an effort to challenge German automakers on their home turf.
Reshma Saujani, the founder of the nonprofit Girls Who Code, discusses the workplace inequities further exposed by the pandemic and her latest book, "Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think).
