RI 2nd Worst for Unemployment Recovery Last Week — 5th Worst Since Pandemic

RI 2nd Worst for Unemployment Recovery Last Week — 5th Worst Since Pandemic

The numbers are not good.

Rhode Island was ranked second-worst for states — including DC — whose unemployment claims recovered most last week.

And since the start of the pandemic? Rhode Island is ranked 5th worst.

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The new analysis is from WalletHub, which found RI’s unemployment claims were up 1130% last week over 2019 — and 293% since the start of 2020.

Only Vermont had a worse week. The best? New York 

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Meanwhile in Rhode Island, business owners -- and restaurants in particular -- have said they can't get anyone to work.

Fish Co. co-owner Garry Williams said it's not the state's coronavirus mandates around capacity that were hurting him -- it has been his inability to hire. 

Popular Italian restaurant Siena offered a $250 gift certificate to anyone who could refer a potential employee that was ultimately hired. 

 

Latest Analysis

According to WalletHub, red states unemployment claims are recovering the quickest.

And while RI struggles, WalletHub has found the rest of the country has made “significant progress.”

“The U.S. is making significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 with the distribution of the vaccine, and this has been reflected in the job market, with new unemployment claims decreasing week-over-week on April 26,” says WalletHub. “There are currently 9.7 million Americans unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in total.”

“There were 498,000 new unemployment claims nationwide, which is a lot fewer than the 6.1 million during the peak of the pandemic (a 92% reduction),” the continued.