With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Many Californians Who Went Back To Work Are Getting Laid Off — Again
A closed restaurant at L.A.'s Grand Central Market. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
()
California has been on a business reopening rollercoaster, and that means some people are now losing their job for the second time.
Earlier this summer, bars and other businesses were given permission by the state of California to reopen. But then coronavirus cases spiked, and many had to shut down again.
Researchers with the California Policy Lab found in a recent analysis that lately, more than half of unemployment claims are coming from workers who are reopening old claims.
This likely reflects situations in which people were laid off early in the pandemic, then called back to work, and then laid off again.
Support for LAist comes from
People getting laid off twice tend to work in hard-hit industries like food service and retail, said researcher Till von Wachter, a UCLA economics professor.
He told us:
“These are sectors that typically hire low-wage workers. These are workers that are often women, often young workers, often less educated workers, often Black or Hispanic workers.”
MORE ON UNEMPLOYMENT
- Pressure Mounts On Unemployment Office As Hundreds Of Thousands Wait For Benefits
- Could California Step Up To Replace Expiring Federal Unemployment Benefits?
WE ARE HERE TO HELP: HOW TO (NEW) LA
- What's Open And What Are The Rules?
- Is It Safe Out There?
- What To Do If You Have It, Might Have It, Or Were Possibly Exposed To The Coronavirus
- An FBI Hostage Negotiator Tells Us How To Talk To People About Masks
- Need Some Mental Health Support? Start Here
- The 5 Most Important Things To Know About The Outside World
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist