US Initial Jobless Claims Surged by 12,000, the Biggest Weekly Increase in a Month

12,000 

The number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits increased by 12,000, marking the largest weekly jump in over a month, according to the Labor Department. The total seasonally adjusted initial claims for the week ending Dec. 23 was 218,000, with a revision of 1,000 from the previous week. The total number of workers applying for unemployment benefits reached 1.875 million for the week ending Dec. 16, reflecting a 14,000 increase from the previous week's revised level. 

22 

In the new year, 22 states are increasing their minimum wage, yet the impact is diminished by substantial raises in recent years. Labor shortages have led to faster wage growth for low-paid workers like cooks and housekeepers, overshadowing state-mandated adjustments, while the federal minimum wage remains stagnant at $7.25 since 2009. Notably, Washington state leads with a 2024 minimum wage of $16.28, tied to the consumer-price index, while Hawaii plans the largest increase, reaching $14 per hour in 2024 and aiming for $18 by 2028. 

59% 

In recruitment, 59% of job seekers have observed AI usage, with half having employed it themselves, as indicated by the 2023 Talent Index from Beamery. While AI holds promise for mitigating biases in hiring, HR executives remain cautious. A survey from the American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor reveals that 34% perceive AI hiring tools as more susceptible to bias than humans alone, prompting the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to address AI's impact on bias in its strategic enforcement plan starting fiscal year 2024. 

24% 

GM Cruise has announced the layoff of 900 employees, constituting 24% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring effort following an accident that led to a halt in U.S. testing. Affected workers will receive pay until Feb 12, plus an additional eight weeks of pay and severance based on tenure, as the company shifts focus to a more deliberate path centered on a fully driverless L4 service and relaunching ride-hailing in one city. 

43 % 

 In 2023, office utilization rates in the Americas, across all business sectors, were at 31%, still below the pre-pandemic global average of 64%, according to CBRE's report. The global average occupancy has surpassed 100% for the first time, with square footage per person decreasing and space sharing increasing. CBRE also reported that 43% of organizations globally plan to reduce their portfolio size by over 30% in the next three years, focusing on new metrics like utilization rates and employee sentiment for space decisions.