Jared Northup, Author at ADP Research

The pandemic changed the U.S. labor market. Here’s how.

It’s been five years since Covid-19 lockdowns brought parts of the U.S. economy to a halt. While the crisis has passed, its impact on the labor market, especially wages, is still unfolding. In February 2020, the U.S. economy was enjoying a Goldilocks moment. Unemployment was 3.5 percent, hiring was steady, and wages were rising modestly faster than inflation.

Stay up to date with Data Lab

Please complete all fields.

Enter a valid email address

By clicking the button below, you acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Statement and agree to our Terms of Use.

Your privacy is assured.

Filter by:

Are more paydays better, even if the money is the same? According to workers, the short answer is yes, and both workers and employers can benefit. The reasons boil down to how workers perceive fairness.

Worker sentiment Data Lab

June 25, 2025

More paydays, more fairness? How pay frequency shapes worker perceptions of compensation

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Are more paydays better, even if the money is the same? According to workers, the short answer is yes, and both workers and employers can benefit. The reasons boil down to how workers perceive fairness.

Employee sentiment jumped 7 points in June, hitting a record high for the second straight month.

Worker sentiment EMC Index

June 17, 2025

Employee sentiment hit record high in June

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Employee sentiment jumped 7 points in June, hitting a record high for the second straight month.

Employee sentiment climbed three points May to a record, with five of the series’ 10 sectors showing improvement.

EMC Index

May 20, 2025

Employee sentiment index hit record high in May

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The ADP Research Employee Motivation and Commitment Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose three points to a record high in May.

Worker sentiment Data Lab

May 7, 2025

Small businesses: For women, they’re a different kind of workplace

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

We found a place where women are more likely to hold positions in upper management, are more likely to thrive, and are more likely to have the freedom to do their jobs as they see fit. Can you guess where? For the answer, check out our latest labor-market analysis.

Employment Wages

May 6, 2025

Small employers: Lean pay, more flexibility?

by Issi Romem, Ph.D.

When ADP Research examined the bottom half of gross wages, we found them to be relatively similar at businesses of all sizes, with one exception: At the smallest employers, the lowest wages were noticeably lower.

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose in April, returning to a series high.

April 15, 2025

Employee sentiment index rose in April

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The ADP Research Employee Motivation and Commitment Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, gained two points in April to return to its series high.

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index fell slightly in March, dropping two points to 127.

EMC Index

March 18, 2025

Employee sentiment dips in March

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, fell slightly in March. Only three of the 10 sectors we track showed strength.

The pandemic changed the U.S. labor market. Here’s how.

Thank you!

Stay up to date with Data Lab

More paydays, more fairness? How pay frequency shapes worker perceptions of compensation

Employee sentiment hit record high in June

Employee sentiment index hit record high in May

Small businesses: For women, they’re a different kind of workplace

Small employers: Lean pay, more flexibility?

Employee sentiment index rose in April

Employee sentiment dips in March

Thank you!

Stay Connected

Thank you!

Stay up to date with Today at Work