NPR: can low unemployment help close the wage gap?

April 2018 gave the U.S. the lowest unemployment number in nearly two decades, falling to 3.9%. This is the first time the nation has seen the jobless rate below 4 percent since 2000. While job gains were lower than expected, this data still indicates good news for the American workforce.

Industries on the upswing include professional and business services, manufacturing and healthcare.

Rebecca Henderson, CEO of Randstad Sourceright, believes that the low unemployment level "is finally spurring the wage growth economists have been looking for” as average hourly pay edged up to $26.84 (non-farm payroll).

The biggest beneficiaries of today’s labor trends might be women in the workforce, with Henderson suggesting that the time is right for companies to start closing the gender wage gap. It's a "perfect storm of labor market and cultural transformation," she says.

See the rest of the NPR report here, and then explore ways that your company can elevate the discussion of diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

About the Author

Rebecca Henderson is CEO of Randstad Sourceright. Rebecca brings more than 20 years’ experience in all facets of talent acquisition solutions and technology. With deep insights and progressive perspectives, Rebecca steers Randstad Sourceright’s global development to ensure HR and talent leaders can play a strategic role in driving growth locally, across regions, and globally. Rebecca is a highly regarded leader in the talent management field and was most recently recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts in “The Global Power 100 – Women in Staffing” list.

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