LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As more of Kentucky’s economy opens, many are going back to work. A May 2020 report showed the state’s unemployment rate decreased by 5.6 percent. However, at a job fair Monday in Louisville hosted by Pleatco, a company that makes industrial and pool and spa filters, turnout was less than what HR Manager Kelly Hatton expected.
“We partnered with Kentuckiana Works who shared it with, you know, 16,000 workers and so we anticipated we would have a few hundred at least,” Hatton said.
In total, 19 showed up to the in-person, walk-in event that lasted four hours.
“Which is just shocking,” Hatton said.
The 50,000 square foot soon-to-be manufacturing facility had more than enough room for social distancing at the event. People’s temperatures were taken at the doorway, masks were given out, and there was plenty of hand sanitizer.
Despite that, Hatton said fear of coming in-person due COVID-19 could be a real concern for many, or some may also not want to work at all, due to the pandemic. She also noted that with childcare still not open, that could be another factor.
Hatton told Spectrum News 1 there was an unusual spike in online applications received, 89 versus an average of about 15 received for the number of jobs that are currently posted. However, Hatton thinks unemployment insurance (UI) is also a factor.
"You are maybe not as in a hurry to look for a job just because you know you are on unemployment right now. You’re taken care of until a certain point, whereas in a couple of months we may see a big change in that when that extra COVID insurance gets dropped off,” Hatton said.
According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, those eligible for UI in 2019 received an average of $360.98 per week.
During the pandemic, every person on UI also gets an additional $600 per week until July 31, 2020, due to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.
Kentucky’s UI and FPUC combined pay more per week than a job salary under $60,000 a year. If one made $60,000 per year, then they are making the same amount with both unemployment payment programs.
It may be more money, but it’s not for the long-term. UI in Kentucky lasts for six months. The FPUC program also extends unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks for unemployed workers who have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and whose benefit year expires on or after July 1, 2020.
UI also doesn’t include benefits, such as health insurance, that companies like Pleatco may offer employees.
Judy Berry was one of the 19 that showed up Monday. She has worked in manufacturing for 30 years. However, two and a half weeks ago, she said she was laid-off due to the pandemic. She now gets UI every week, but she thinks the time to look for a job is now.
“I don’t want to wait till the last minute. I don’t want to be out here with thousands of people going back to work,” Berry said.
Hatton said the manufacturing plant where the job fair was held is set to open August 23, 2020, a date she said may work in the company’s favor. With FPUC end the last day of July, she is already planning to host another job fair in August. She hopes it will have a higher turnout than this one.
For job board with listings across Kentucky, visit Kentucky Chamber.
