Employment and Workforce Executive Director Dan Ellzey’s Statement

May 2020 Employment Situation

“Labor surveys are completed during the week of the 12th of each month. This means that the survey for May’s employment situation was completed the same week that restaurants were given the green light to reopen with limited-seating protocols, per Gov. Henry McMaster. The reopening explains why the latest employment situation press release shows just over 45,000 people returning to the workforce since May’s release of April numbers. It also explains why there is a reported gain in the industry sector of Leisure and Hospitality,” said Dan Ellzey, Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “We have a long way to go until our state can reclaim it’s previously historic low unemployment rate, but with the hard working people who make up this state, we know that when opportunity presents itself, they will be eager to rejoin the workforce and help be the necessary catalyst in rebooting our economy.” 

Unemployment Insurance Rate Explanation:

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) unemployment rate estimate for April, reported on May 15, 2020, was 12.1 percent.
•  The BLS revised estimate for April, reported in the June 19, 2020 press release, is 12.8 percent. A 0.7 percent increase over the original number.
•  Consequently, the May 2020 unemployment rate estimate of 12.5 percent is a decrease from April’s revised rate of 12.8 percent.
•  May’s 12.5 percent is also comparatively lower than the estimated national unemployment rate of 13.3 percent for the same month

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Read the full explanation for a better understanding of how the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics utilizes trained Census Bureau employees to capture critical labor force data each month (PDF).

About the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency has four missions: (1) workforce development; (2) free job match employment services; (3) unemployment insurance; and (4) labor market information. All four missions contribute to workforce development. The agency is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services and programs that meet the needs of our businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.