State's job losses slowing, tracking nation

By Michael E. Kanell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Like the national economy, Georgia’s job market seems to be slowing its rush into the rut -- though a return to high-speed hiring still looks far off.

New claims for unemployment benefits averaged 15,953 a week for the past four weeks, according to the U.S. Employment and Training Administration.

“We have seen fewer job losses but we haven’t started to see things get better,” said economist William Smith of the University of West Georgia.

New claims are 14 percent below the same period a year ago, but 43 percent higher than two years ago. The improvement means a pick-up in hiring.

“I don’t believe we have hit the bottom yet, but we are a lot closer,” said Emily Sanders, chief executive of Sanders Financial Management in Norcross.

In October, the state unemployment rate was 10.2 percent, down slightly from its July high.

Federal stimulus spending has helped somewhat, with support of jobs in schools and public construction, she said. “What growth there is to come is from government employment. Private employers are not confident enough to start adding positions.”

Demand for temp workers can be a sign of where the labor market is headed. Lately that signal has been upbeat.

“It is slight, but it’s encouraging,” said Michelle Brewer, senior staffing manager at staffing company Ajilon. “Companies still need the work done, but maybe they are not ready to make the commitment of full-time.”

December typically means an uptick in layoffs as some companies prepare for a new year’s budget. In a good year, those layoffs are overshadowed by retail hiring. But retail hiring started off sluggish this fall year, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Roughly a half-million Georgians are officially jobless. They outnumber job openings by more than six to one.

“I think the trend line will be positive -- fewer people will be laid off,” said state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “But the people who have been laid off are taking longer and longer to find a job.”