Modelling long-term COVID-19 impacts on the U.S. workforce of 2029

While ensuring employment opportunities is critical for global progress and stability, workers are now subject to several disruptive trends, including automation, rapid changes in technology and skill requirements, and transitions to low-carbon energy production. Yet, these trends seem almost insignificant compared to labor impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While much has been written about the pandemic’s short-term impacts, this study analyzes anticipated long-term impacts on the labor force of 2029 by comparing original 2029 labor projections to special COVID-adjusted projections recently published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Results show that future demand for nearly every type of labor skill and knowledge will increase, while the nature of work shifts from physical to more cognitive activities. Of the nearly three million jobs projected to disappear by 2029 due to COVID, over 91% are among workers without a bachelor’s degree. Among workers with a degree demand shifts primarily from business-related degrees to computer and STEM degrees. Results further show that the socialness of labor, which is important for both innovation and productivity, increases in many more industries than it decreases. Finally, COVID will likely accelerate the adoption of teleworking and slightly decrease the rate of workforce automation. These impacts, combined with a shift to more cognitive worker activities, will likely impact the nature of workforce health and safety with less focus on physical injuries and more on illnesses related to sedentary lifestyles. Overall, results suggest that future workers will need to engage more often in training and skill acquisition, requiring life-long learning and skill maintenance strategies.

Group-Motivated Sampling: From Skewed Experiences to Biased Evaluations

From planning daily activities with close others to passively overhearing a stranger’s conversation on the bus, humans spend roughly half of their waking life in the presence of other humans (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003-2016). These social interactions constitute the source of a large proportion of the information that individuals gather on a daily basis. At the same time, people are often limited to only a small portion of information, or samples, in relation to all the possible information made available during a social experience (Ambady & Rosenthal, 1993; Fiedler, 2000). The fundamental question guiding this chapter is how group-motivated sampling of social information facilitates biased evaluations.

Group-Motivated Sampling: From Skewed Experiences to Biased Evaluations

From planning daily activities with close others to passively overhearing a stranger’s conversation on the bus, humans spend roughly half of their waking life in the presence of other humans (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003-2016). These social interactions constitute the source of a large proportion of the information that individuals gather on a daily basis. At the same time, people are often limited to only a small portion of information, or samples, in relation to all the possible information made available during a social experience (Ambady & Rosenthal, 1993; Fiedler, 2000). The fundamental question guiding this chapter is how group-motivated sampling of social information facilitates biased evaluations.

An Examination of the Employment Recovery in the United States in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The “shock” of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set about wholesale changes across American life, impacting the way we socialized, shopped, and yes, worked. There were significant disruptions across the business landscape in the United States, accompanied by significant job losses, starting in March 2020. In this article, we examine the size and scope of the changes in employment that took place in the U.S. at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the recovery period up through April 2021. Utilizing official government data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the author examines how the pandemic caused both widespread job losses and record-setting levels of unemployment but had differential effects across a variety of industries. Then, the author looks at the recovery period, examining the recovery in employment has been unequally distributed across the United States, with differentiations between both urban and rural areas and between metropolitan areas across the county. The article concludes with a look at what this means for the future of work and for management moving forward - hopefully - into the post-pandemic period.

Connecting O*Net® Database to Cybersecurity Workforce Professional Certifications

The Occupational Information Network O*NET is considered the primary source of occupational information in the U.S. I explore here possible uses of O*NET data to inform cybersecurity workforce readiness certification programs. The O*NET database is used to map out education requirements and how they relate to professional certifications as required by employers and job designers in accordance with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS). The search focuses on the “Information Security Analysts” occupation as listed on O*NET, Careeronestop, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and finally tied back to NICCS source work role to identify certifications requirements. I found that no site has listed any certification as required, desirable or mandatory. NICCS offered general guidance to potential topics and areas of certification. Careeronestop site provided the ultimate guidance for this role certification. Professional certifications are still not integrated in the Cybersecurity Workforce Framework official guidance.

How long are newcomers new in different occupations?

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of occupational characteristics on the length of time required to socialize newcomers. The authors examine task mastery, role clarity and social acceptance as indicators of socialization. Design/methodology/approach To test the hypotheses, the authors used occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and survey data of subject matter experts in 35 occupations. Findings Findings show that occupational differences account for a significant variance in the time needed to socialize newcomers. Across occupations, it takes longer to achieve task mastery than role clarity or social acceptance. Occupational complexity increases the time it takes for newcomers to attain task mastery, role clarity and social acceptance. Additionally, unstructured work and decision-making freedom increase the time it takes for newcomers to attain role clarity. Originality/value This study provides both theoretical and empirical guidance on the duration of the organizational socialization period. The study also provides empirical support for prior propositions that different types of newcomer learning occur at different rates.

Consumer Expenditure Survey Methods Symposium and Microdata Users’ Workshop, July 21–24, 2020

The Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) program collects expenditure, demographic, and income data from families and households. The CE program held its annual Survey Methods Symposium and Microdata Users’ Workshop from July 21 to 24, 2020, to address CE-related topics in survey methods research, to provide free training in the structure and uses of the CE microdata, and to explore possibilities for collaboration. Economists from the CE program, staff from other U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offices, and research experts in a variety of fields—including academia, government, and private industry—gathered virtually to explore better ways to collect CE data and to learn how to use the microdata once they are produced. The experience was unique for presenters and attendees alike in that this was the first time either event was held online, in whole or in part.

Multi-Faceted Ergonomics Assessment in Medical Device Manufacturing: A Case Study

Background: According to the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics there were over 4,000 preventable injury related deaths. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration emphasizes that safety cultures should consist of shared beliefs, practices, and attitudes that exist at an establishment. The purpose of this industry-sponsored research project was to assist a medical manufacturing facility with safety program OSHA compliance. Method: Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also ca lled job hazard analysis, and facility inspections were used to identify hazards focused on the worker, task, tools, and the work environment. Results: Areas with high hazard scores according to the JSA were a ssigned to supervisors and the research team to provide immediate process and environment changes. Conclusion: JSA is a great tool to identify safety hazards on a job site though job functions. This will prevent injuries and a llow even small companies to remain compliant with federal regulations. Creating an atmosphere from top to bottom with a culture of safety responsibility andownership can promote a safe and productive environment.