Changing Unemployment and the Post-Pandemic Workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest stress test of the Unemployment Insurance system since it was created in 1935. The unprecedented labor market collapse overwhelmed state unemployment insurance systems, and emergency federal intervention has been key to stabilizing the economy.

In this RAND Remote conversation, Kathryn Edwards discusses ways the pandemic is changing how we treat unemployment. She describes options for workforce recovery, including drawing women workers back into the labor force. She also shares ways that RAND can help rethink and retool institutions for the future. Hosted by Christine Lanoie-Newman, RAND's Executive Director of Development, Foundation Relations.

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  • Office of the California Employment Development Department in Sacramento, California, September 20, 2018, photo courtesy of the California Employment Development Department

    Commentary

    Will States Take the Wrong Lesson About Unemployment Insurance's Failings?

    By shoring up all state-run Unemployment Insurance programs equally, Congress set a precedent that it will intervene to raise benefits at no cost to state trust funds. From the states' perspective, why hike taxes on businesses to maintain robust unemployment benefits if Congress will step in when the economy goes south?

    Mar 18, 2021

    Kathryn A. Edwards

  • An Economic Impact Payment Card for money received as a result of the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020 in Portland, Oregon, January 25, 2021, photo by Alex Milan Tracy/Reuters

    Commentary

    The Pandemic Is Completely Changing the Way We Treat Unemployment

    Unemployment insurance is the most important fiscal response the United States has during a recession, because it sends timely, targeted, and temporary financial assistance to those directly affected by the downturn. What the CARES Act created—remarkably high benefits for more workers—was a short-term experiment born of necessity, but it could have a lasting influence on public policy.

    Feb 1, 2021

    Kathryn A. Edwards

  • Woman working from home with young son, photo by ArtMarie/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Women Are Leaving the Labor Force in Record Numbers

    The economic downturn during the pandemic is affecting women workers measurably harder than men. There were 2.2 million fewer women in the labor force in October 2020 than there were last October. Investing in childcare and expanding labor laws could keep women employed and buoy the entire economy.

    Nov 24, 2020

    Kathryn A. Edwards

  • Unemployment Insurance

    Multimedia

    Unemployment Insurance: Why Does It Vary Across States?

    RAND economist Kathryn Edwards discusses the variance of unemployment insurance across states and its effect on how workers are financially supported.

    Sep 28, 2020