U.S. hiring activity improved in February, as employers added 379,000 new jobs, mostly in leisure and hospitality, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate ticked down to 6.2 percent but will likely begin to fall in the coming months as vaccinations increase, the weather improves and service-sector jobs return.

Taking on “side hustles”—second jobs to make money alongside one’s main job—was a growing trend before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the labor market. Since then, data shows that the unstable economy has led more workers to hold multiple jobs to increase financial security.

U.S. payrolls rose by 245,000 in November, and the unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 percent from 6.9 percent, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment gains were driven by hiring in transportation and warehousing, business services and health care. Over half of the 22 million workers furloughed or laid off at the onset of the pandemic in March and April have now been rehired.
A growing number of workers have exhausted their state unemployment benefits and have signed up for alternative federal emergency programs due to expire at the end of the year, as states have begun to reimpose restrictions on businesses amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

U.S. payrolls increased by 638,000 in October, as the pace of the labor market recovery continues to stall, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About half of the 22 million workers furloughed or laid off at the onset of the pandemic in March and April have now been rehired.

U.S. payrolls increased by 1.4 million in August, about what was expected, as the pace of rehiring has slowed and layoffs continue. The unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent from 10.2 percent in July, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. August was the first month after a $600 weekly unemployment supplement expired, and stimulus programs shoring up businesses that retained workers lapsed.