Dismissal, unemployment, layoffs, employment stress, index finger overturns row of businessmen standing on big hands.


A report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals economic concerns, NBC News reports. According to a recent BLS survey, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent, an increase from the 4.2 percent recorded last November. Data collection and results may be distorted due to the federal government shutdown in October; however, economists had anticipated a decline in jobs resulting from government layoffs, MSN says. 

The shutdown hindered business operations— including regulatory approvals, ongoing contracts, and wage disruptions, as described by the Los Angeles Times—all aspects that affect the commercial cleaning industry. Moreover, government agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), continue to work on addressing backlogged requests and complaints, the U.S. Department of Labor states. Commercial cleaning executives face pressures to acquire and retain qualified cleaning teams, as well as promote their safety and well-being, CleanLink shares. 

Wage growth was also impacted, with average hourly earnings increasing incrementally to 3.5 percent, indicating a shift in end-user purchasing habits, Reuters adds. Supply and labor shortages impact service and product pricing, which will affect budgets, Janitorial Manager asserts. As reported by Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), innovations continue to emerge to address current and upcoming challenges—robotics, proof of service, data analytics, etc.