Surprising Statistics About Hidden Workers
The numbers on Hidden Workers are eye-opening and demonstrate the untapped potential of these unique individuals.
Statistics About Hidden Workers – sources below post.
- There are more than 27 million hidden workers in the United States. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- Hidden workers are more likely to be immigrants, refugees, caregivers, veterans, the formerly incarcerated, those with disabilities, and people from less-advantaged populations. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- Hidden workers are often excluded from traditional hiring processes – 94% of employers say their hiring processes at least sometimes filter out potential candidates who could perform offered jobs. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- 63% of these Hidden Workers are missing hours, while 33% of them are missing from the workforce entirely. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- 36% of hidden workers cite lack of “years of experience” as a criteria which prevents them from finding work, perpetuating a cycle where they need experience to get work, but they can’t get work because they lack experience. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- Hidden Workers are trying to get work – the average Hidden Worker who applies for jobs has applied to 25 jobs, with 5 getting interviews and less than 2 getting offers.
- An additional 30% of hidden workers cite “Employment gaps in their resume” as another factor in preventing their employment or gaining additional hours. (Hidden Workers Study, Harvard Business School)
- Almost 42m Americans provide unpaid care to an adult over the age of 50, almost 17% of the US Population. (Key Facts about Family Caregiver Statistics: A Place for Mom)
- 38% of these Caregivers are not employed, totaling almost 16m Americans. (Key Facts about Family Caregiver Statistics: A Place for Mom)
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 8.8m job openings as of July 31, 2023.
References:
- Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent, Harvard Business School, 2021. https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/hiddenworkers09032021.pdf
- Key facts about family caregiver statistics: 2023 U.S. Unpaid Caregiver Statistics: Demographic Data | A Place for Mom)
- Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – 2023 M07 Results (bls.gov))