Job vacancies in the United States have hit a record-high with reports that labour demand has surpassed the number of workers available. 

On the last day of June, job openings jumped from 9.5 million vacancies to 10.1 million, according to figures released by the Labor Department.

Despite restrictions easing across the country due to an increase in vaccination rates, it hasn’t been enough to convince workers to return to the workforce.

Additionally, companies are struggling to find workers to fill an excess in job vacancies within the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. 

“The ratio of openings to hires, despite easing in June, remained at historically elevated levels,” JPMorgan analyst Peter McCrory said.

Companies are using a range of techniques such as introducing flexible work hours, higher salaries and signing bonuses to draw unemployed individuals to the workforce.

However, as the numbers show, these attempts don’t appear to be working. 

Some are blaming the shortage of jobseekers on generous government schemes targeted towards those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic as well as a lack of affordable childcare. 

It’s also being said that there is an excess in low-skilled jobs being advertised which only appeal to a selected group of candidates. 

Nick Bunker, Indeed’s Economic Research Director says easy access to government subsidies could be a key contributor to unemployed individuals not wanting to find work.  

“Money issues seem to be a rising concern among unemployed workers not searching urgently” Bunker says. 

“More of them said the end of [unemployment insurance] benefits or financial cushions running low were major milestones that could prompt them to take a job.”

The resurgence in cases due to the Delta outbreak is also keeping potential workers at home, adding to the growing list of reasons which continues to see 8.6 million people out of work.

Written by Rebecca Borg