Income and Work

June 28, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
As Unemployment Remains High, Experts Concerned About End of Bonus Payment

Huntington Herald-Dispatch - To slow the spread of the virus no one in the world has immunity to, thousands of West Virginians had to lose their jobs. Read full article here. Now, as people head back to work, some low-earning West Virginians are realizing they may have been better off without a job. The federal…

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June 25, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
CARES Act Unemployment Provisions Should Be Extended While Need Remains

Thanks to the CARES Act that was passed in March, last week more than 76,000 unemployed West Virginian workers claimed unemployment benefits that were more generous than those they normally would have received, while thousands more were able to receive benefits who otherwise would have received no benefits at all. However, if Congress does not…

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June 8, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Women, Minorities, and Young Workers Most Affected by Recent Job Losses

According to WorkForce West Virginia, West Virginia lost 90,100 jobs in April, as the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to it rocked the state's economy. Since the end of March, 157,807 West Virginians have filed for unemployment insurance. This week, the Department of Labor released data on the characteristics of those who filed unemployment claims…

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May 28, 2020 by Kelly Allen
Women Bear Brunt of Job and Care Costs Amid COVID-19

While COVID-19 is having wide-ranging impacts on every corner of our society, no one is more impacted by this crisis than women, particularly women of color. Women dominate the industries most affected by the pandemic, including making up two-thirds of frontline workers in West Virginia and the majority of employees in industries who’ve seen job…

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April 30, 2020 by Kelly Allen,
Low-income Earners, Women and Workers of Color First Back to Work under Governor’s Plan

Earlier this week, Governor Jim Justice unveiled his plan for reopening West Virginia’s businesses, dubbed “The Comeback”. Among the businesses slated to open first under his plan are day care centers, restaurants, and professional services including hair and nail salons. West Virginians who work in these sectors will be among the first back to work…

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April 29, 2020 by Seth DiStefano
Seth DiStefano: Classify Front-Line Workers Among Our First Responders

Beckley Register-Herald - Gov. Jim Justice needs to immediately classify grocery store, food processing and pharmacy workers who must work during this pandemic as first responders through Executive Order. Read op-ed. Being classified as an “essential” employee during the COVID-19 pandemic and response may guarantee you keep your paycheck, but it doesn’t keep you and…

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April 27, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Tracking the Coronavirus Economic Impact in West Virginia

As more West Virginians became vaccinated, and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) supported the economy, West Virginia began to see strong improvements in 2021. But new COVID variants threatened the recovery, and the impact of the ARP has begun to fade. And the depth of the downturn means that West Virginia still has a long…

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April 21, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Work Sharing Could Help Both Businesses and Workers During the Coronavirus Downturn

With tens of thousands of West Virginians losing their jobs and filing for unemployment insurance benefits as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the economy, there is renewed interest in "work sharing" programs. Work sharing gives businesses the option of reducing the hours and wages of their employees instead of laying them off. Workers with reduced wages…

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February 25, 2020 by Ted Boettner
SB 528 Would Strip Workers of Rights and Protections through Misclassification

On Monday, the WV Senate narrowly passed Senate Bill 528, which would make it easier for corporations in West Virginia to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees. This bill, based on model legislation prepared by ALEC, is similar, but far more expansive, than a house bill that passed out of House Industry and Labor…

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February 12, 2020 by Kelly Allen
Momentum for Paid Leave is Growing in West Virginia: A Breakdown of State-Level Proposals

Too often, West Virginians are forced to choose between financial/job security and taking care of themselves, a new child, or a seriously ill family member. Recognizing these problems, legislators have introduced three strong bills this session to provide paid family and medical leave (PFML). PFML policies help families achieve financial security, strengthen businesses and the public-sector,…

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