OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahomans attempting to return to work post-pandemic mentioned they’re fearful Tuesday about having to use for jobs that pay far lower than what their pre-pandemic jobs paid earlier than they had been laid off.
Assist wished indicators dot home windows throughout city. Nevertheless, a number of people who say they had been laid off as a result of pandemic mentioned they’re now pressured to take important wage cuts as they reenter the workforce.
“We have needed to adapt, and we have been adapting, and we have been in search of positions, however there’s simply nothing on the market,” mentioned Staci Beaver, a lady who labored within the oil and gasoline trade for 3 many years however is now working as an insurance coverage saleswoman.
“I am making use of for stuff $10-$15 under what I am used to,” mentioned Joni Williams, a lady nonetheless unemployed and discovering no luck within the present job market.
Statistics present that Oklahomans are going again to work proper now with the unemployment price dropping over 9 p.c since April 2023 when COVID-19 shocked the world. Over 79,000 Oklahomans are nonetheless unemployed proper now. Nevertheless, in April of 2023, that quantity was over 220,000.
“We’re folks that have labored for 35 to 40 years,” Beaver mentioned. “We need to get again to work.”
“It is irritating and upsetting and miserable,” Williams mentioned.
Joni Williams of Enid mentioned it hasn’t been joyful searching. She hasn’t had an interview for a job in six months. Simply over one 12 months in the past she was making $26 per hour. Now, with two children at residence, one among them in school, she mentioned she could should discover a job that doesn’t pay even remotely shut.
“I’ve utilized to every part that there is obtainable right here,” Williams mentioned. “I went again to high school and did additional my schooling, did go to commerce college and all this stuff so I would not have to do this.”
For Beaver, she racked up three many years within the oil and gasoline trade making good cash. Now, after being laid off final March, she’s pressured right into a job as an insurance coverage saleswoman on fee. In line with Beaver, she isn’t positive what bread she’ll convey residence each day.
“I am not a salesman, I haven’t got any {qualifications} for that,” she mentioned. “There’s loads of points.”
Each Beaver and Williams mentioned it’s been fairly the wrestle.
“Throughout all of this we misplaced a automobile,” Beaver mentioned.
“I’ve no financial savings, it is gone,” Williams mentioned. “Every thing I had is gone.”
The Oklahoma Employment Safety Fee despatched KFOR an announcement saying there are 37 p.c extra job openings proper now in comparison with earlier than the pandemic. The complete assertion is as follows:
“We’ve got heard from all types of employers in numerous industries that they’re in want of individuals to return to the workforce – every part from engineering to healthcare, hospitality to grease & gasoline/power, and authorities to aerospace. The state presently has 37% extra job openings than there have been pre-pandemic and essentially the most job openings since this knowledge level began being tracked in 2001. There are high-paying jobs obtainable now – in actual fact, OESC is presently internet hosting a digital profession honest with greater than 115 employers collaborating and representing greater than 3,200 open positions. We encourage Oklahomans to take part within the digital profession festivals, in addition to to make the most of the $1,200 Return-to-Work Incentive for these claimants fearful about federal advantages ending. This incentive is on the market to the primary 20,000 eligible candidates so we encourage claimants to use as quickly as doable. OESC is putting high precedence on serving to claimants discover secure employment or retraining alternatives. We’ve got 28 workplaces throughout the state prepared to assist the entire state’s residents who’re eligible to work however presently will not be working and the a whole bunch of employers who’re struggling to search out staff.”
SHELLEY ZUMWALT, OESC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Nevertheless, these nonetheless on the hunt for work or which have discovered work not of their authentic profession mentioned excessive paying jobs simply will not be there.
“That is what we have labored for, it is our residence, we have now a automobile. We will not simply lose every part,” Beaver mentioned.
“I simply don’t desire the state to neglect about us people who find themselves not within the metropolis or Tulsa,” Williams mentioned.
Proper now, Oklahoma has a simply over 4 p.c unemployment price. Oklahoma Metropolis although, has the fourth highest unemployment price of cities with a couple of million individuals.
It’s necessary to notice that Gov. Kevin Stitt selected to choose out of federal unemployment advantages. That goes into impact June 27.
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