Economics

U.S. Jobs Recovery Slows as Virus Rages, Boosting Aid Chances

Unemployment rate falls but so does labor-force participation
Online-shopping boom reflected in large portion of hiring

An employee wearing a protective mask works at the Gifts For You company warehouse.Photographer: Olivia Obineme/Bloomberg

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By Reade Pickert

December 4, 2020 at 1:32 PM UTC

Updated on

December 4, 2020 at 9:55 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The U.S. labor-market rebound slowed markedly in November, indicating the surge in Covid-19 cases is hitting workers and curbing the broader economic recovery.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 245,000 from the prior month and the unemployment rate edged down to 6.7%, the Labor Department said Friday. The data also showed a worrisome decline in Americans participating in the labor force, as more people left jobs and the workforce altogether.