Low levels of worker protections correlate to a lower standard of living, researcher says.

It pushes back on the idea that the economy is slowing. But the number of workers who quit, were hired or were laid off didn’t change much.

There were even job gains in construction and finance, which were expected to slow down. Wages grew again too.

Gig workers now have access to unemployment benefits as the economy has opened back up.

Health care, child care and K-12 education, which offer jobs with lower pay that need to be done in person, have yet to fully recover.

One factor that may have contributed to this growth? Jobs in accounting, IT, consulting and similar roles can still be done remotely.

Many older people returned to work, but the recovery isn’t as strong for people of color and women.

Employers need understand the many reasons workers have left the jobs on their own or involuntarily, one supervisor says.

Bostic discusses inflation, employment and trying to make sure the economic recovery brings everyone along.

Many are demanding higher wages to return to the labor force. ADP reports private-sector employment rose strongly in September.