As Unemployment Benefits Expire, How Can Businesses Bring Workers Back?

COVID’s economic and material disruptions gave many workers, across the blue- and white-collar spectrum, the tools to better analyze what they don’t like about their work lives. Inefficiencies of in-office work settings, dissatisfaction around low wages and unsafe work conditions, and insufficient medical benefits were laid bare. And workers responded, in many sectors, by withholding their labor. We all saw the mass exodus from fast food chains & restaurants, for example, during the pandemic, with paper signs on the drive-thru in bold: “We all quit.”

Withholding that labor strategically, though, is going to get harder for workers: this week marked an end to COVID unemployment benefit programs, leaving millions without federal aid, and millions more with reduced weekly checks, according to data from The Century Foundation.

How does this change the landscape for low-wage workers who’ve been holding out for higher pay and better benefits, and how should employers, based on their size and resources, respond to entice workers back?

Shaun Richman, Program Director of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor for SUNY Empire, gave us insights on the situation and what he sees as the solution to smooth the situation for workers and employers alike.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

AP poll
College Football’s AP Poll: Should Voter Rights Be Revoked?
September 12, 2025

The early weeks of college football are once again putting the AP poll under a microscope, with a controversial ballot sparking debate over voter accountability and the disconnect between initial rankings and on-field performance. At the same time, financial pressures are reshaping both college and pro football, from coaching buyouts to roster strain created by…

Read More
Coupa Inspire 2025
A Global Conversation: Coupa Inspire 2025 Brings Innovation to Your Doorstep
September 12, 2025

Coupa Inspire 2025 is taking its flagship experience on the road with the Inspire World Tour, bringing the spirit of its celebrated event to five cities across four continents. By condensing the energy of its global gathering into free, one-day sessions, Coupa is expanding access to knowledge, innovation, and community-building opportunities for finance, procurement, and…

Read More
Royal Dublin
Mastering the Game: Akshay Bhatia and Coupa Inspire at the Royal Dublin
September 12, 2025

At the Royal Dublin, Coupa brought together community and competition with PGA pro and brand ambassador Akshay Bhatia, who shared lessons from the course that extend far beyond golf. His message, “Master your swing. Master your spend,” underscored the power of precision, discipline, and strategy in both sport and business. The event was not just…

Read More
Coupa Customer Appreciation Day with Akshay Bhatia at The Royal Dublin
September 11, 2025

Coupa’s Customer Appreciation Day at The Royal Dublin on July, 2025, brought together PGA Tour talent Akshay Bhatia and the community for a celebration of both sport and connection. Beyond the excitement of world-class golf, Bhatia shared practical “tour-level tips” in a relaxed clinic format, offering guidance on everything from escaping rough lies to mastering…

Read More