One of the big business questions for 2022 has been, Where are all the workers? A survey conducted by South Carolina has found some answers.
The state currently has a record 3.3 percent unemployment rate and has about 100,000 unfilled jobs in a wide variety of sectors and positions. To get a better grasp on why those jobs are unfilled, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce conducted a survey of people (more than 150,000) who were employed in 2019 and filed for unemployment in 2020, but failed to appear on employment data in 2021.
The survey showed that 46 percent of the respondents were employed, and another 26 percent were ineligible to work because of retirement, being a student, or a disability or health-related issue. But, answering the question in the opening paragraph, 28 percent responded that they could work but are not working.
If that percentage holds true for all those surveyed, it accounts for more than 42,000 people who were capable of working but choose not, which could fill a large chunk of the unfilled jobs.
That percentage was fairly uniform between men and women, with 25 percent of men and 28 percent of women stating they could work but choose not to. A third of people aged 25-54 said they could work but are not working. Even among those with a college degree, 21 percent said they are capable of working but are not employed.
The Midlands region, which includes North Augusta, Aiken, and Columbia, had a significantly higher percentage than the rest of the state of those capable of working but currently unemployed.
The top reason given for not working was low-paying jobs (23 percent). Next were health (20 percent), gaps in employment history (19 percent), and lack of transportation (18 percent).
Lack of optimal hours was cited by 20 percent of female respondents but only by 9 percent of males. Low pay was the top reason for both men and women.
What would get these people back into the job market? As expected, the majority (51 percent) said high-paying jobs. Close behind were flexible working conditions (49 percent), locations close to home (48 percent), and flexible hours (44 percent). No other factor garnered more than 6 percent.
The survey asked what source of income supported their choice to not work. Nearly a third (31 percent) said the income of a spouse or partner and 28 percent said the support of other family members. Odd jobs were the source for 24 percent and 20.5 percent were dipping into savings. Only 12 percent said welfare was their primary means of support.
“If you want to understand the employment data in your region and connect with employers looking to hire, visit an SC Works Center,” Dan Ellezy, Executive Director of SC Employment and Workforce, said in a statement. “They can review the data for your local area with you, identify your skills for various jobs and connect you with businesses ready to hire right now.”
To view the full report, click here.
