Impact of the Pandemic on Occupational Employment by Race

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the pandemic on occupational employment by race and ethnicity. United States federal EEO laws related to race led to increased labor force diversity prior to the pandemic. Still, they did not prevent differential outcomes during the pandemic. Previous research examined total employment by race during the pandemic, and this research extends that body of knowledge by examining post-pandemic outcomes and analyzing the extent to which occupational segregation impacted employment outcomes. The data indicate that occupational segregation did not cause the pandemic related rate of employment declines by race. Specifically, Black and Asian workers had the highest rates of layoffs compared to White and Hispanic workers. However, Black workers were heavily represented in high-layoff occupations, and Asian workers in low-layoff occupations.