Whether you are in retail sales, the auto sector, fast-food or any other field of work worrying about the future of your job is on the minds of many Americans.

And as Labor Day approaches and the unemployment rate is at 10.2%, WalletHub released a nationally representative Coronavirus & Labor Day Survey, showing 1 in 3 Americans worry about job security. Other key findings according to WalletHub include:

  • Americans want extended COVID-19 relief. 74 percent of people think that Congress should continue to give extra unemployment benefits until the pandemic ends.
  • Fear over Labor Day crowds. 77 percent of Americans do not trust others to be responsible for social distancing over Labor Day Weekend.
  • Harder work than usual. Half of Americans think they’ve worked harder since the pandemic began.
  • Americans worry about layoffs. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans are concerned about their job security this Labor Day.

Extra Benefits Needed

Yes, of those Americans surveyed most think the temporary extra benefits offered to unemployed people should be extended, according to the report.

“The vast majority of Americans, at 74 percent, think that Congress should extend the extra unemployment benefits until the pandemic is over,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst in a news release. “Opinions differ across income brackets, as 83 percent of low-income Americans are in favor of an extension of extra benefits until the end of the pandemic, compared to 63 percent of high-income Americans. Deadlock in Congress, combined with legislators’ summer recess, may lead to a long period without a long-term solution for the unemployed.”

Out in the Crowd

As the pandemic continues most Americans are also not optimistic that others will practice social distancing during Labor Day celebrations.

“Most Americans, at 77 percent, do not trust others to be responsible about social distancing this Labor Day,” said  Gonzalez in the news release. “Adults under 30 years old are more than twice as likely as those aged 59+ to trust that others will practice social distancing. This makes sense because the elderly are more vulnerable to serious symptoms from COVID-19 and thus must practice an especially high level of caution.”

Hard Workers

And about half of American workers say during the COVID-19 pandemic they are working harder than usual.

“Half of Americans say they have worked harder since the COVID-19 pandemic began,” Gonzalez added.  “Middle-class Americans were the most likely to say they have worked harder, followed by high-income and then low-income Americans.”

As mentioned many Americans report they are worried about their job security as we move toward Labor Day and the autumn season.

“About 1 in 3 Americans worry about their job security, which makes sense considering the extremely high rate of unemployment in the U.S. right now,” Gonzalez said. “Women are less likely than men to be concerned about job security, even though recent data shows that women are losing their jobs at a greater rate than men during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Source: WalletHub