Payroll

Paychex monthly report shows that despite the Omicron variant, more businesses have been hiring and giving raises to workers.

The unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 3.9% in December as employers added 199,000 jobs, including 3,400 in accounting and bookkeeping services, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

Private sector employers added 807,000 jobs in December, according to payroll giant ADP, as the job market continued to recover despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Employees at small businesses saw their average hourly earnings hit a record high in December, while employment levels kept rising.

The unemployment rate declined by four-tenths of a point to 4.2%, but the job gains fell well short of expectations.

The job gains are a sign of continuing economic recovery despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its variants.

Hourly earnings growth at small businesses reached a record level this month, according to payroll giant Paychex, as small-business hiring also grew.

The robust jobs report showed the unemployment rate declining two-tenths of a point to 4.6%.

Private sector employment rebounded strongly in October, with employers adding 571,000 jobs despite persistent labor shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to payroll giant ADP.