About the Study
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been unprecedented changes in employment for America’s workforce. Many businesses ceased or scaled back operations and many state governments issued stay-at-home orders. Using key labor force statistics from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS), researchers with the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy sought to provide insight into the recent changes. These briefs explore two key aspects of occupations and industries that were associated with employment outcomes for people with and without a disability since February 2020 (prior to the impact of COVID-19):
- Whether it was possible to perform the job at home (i.e., telework)
- Whether the job required workers to be in close proximity with others (i.e., contact intensity)
February 2020 - September 2020 findings:
- The unemployment rate for workers with a disability declined from 18.9 percent in April 2020 to 12.5 percent in September 2020. The unemployment rate remains higher than the 7.8 percent recorded in January 2020.
- The unemployment rate for workers without a disability declined from 14.3 percent in April 2020 to 7.5 percent in September 2020. The unemployment rate remains higher than the 3.8 percent recorded in January 2020.
- Between February 2020 and September 2020, employment for workers with a disability declined in seven of the twelve industries identified in CPS, but increased in four industries: Agriculture and Mining; Information; Transportation and Utilities; and Financial Activities. Employment among workers without a disability declined by the greatest amount in Leisure and Hospitality (22.1 percent).
- Workers with a disability in installation, service, and repair occupations accounted for the largest share of the total decline in employment, representing a 20.4 percent of the decline from February 2020 to September 2020.
February 2020 - April 2020 findings:
- The unemployment rate for people with a disability more than doubled from 7.8 percent in January 2020 to 18.9 percent in April 2020. The unemployment rate for this population declined to 14.3 percent in July 2020.
- The unemployment rate for people without a disability more than tripled from 3.8 percent in January 2020 to 14.3 percent in April 2020. The unemployment rate for this population declined to 10.3 percent in July 2020.
- Workers with a disability in service occupations accounted for the largest share of the total decline in employment, representing 33.9 percent of the decline from February 2020 to July 2020
Report
McLaren, C., Rhodes, T., Rosenblum, D., Swick, S., Tamborino, J. (2020). Employment for Persons with a Disability: Analysis of Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic (February 2020-September 2020). Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.
Report
McLaren, C., Rhodes, T., Rosenblum, D., Swick, S., Tamborino, J. (2020) Employment for Persons with a Disability: Analysis of Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic (February 2020-April 2020). Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.
Please note: These reports were produced outside of CEO’s independent evaluation and research process. Please see the individual documents for more information on how these products were developed.