Layoffs on the decline

Though the coronavirus pandemic still casts a long shadow over the economy, Atlanta-based Corps Team and other local staffing firms, which specialize in matching job candidates and jobs, say many industries are rebounding.

In addition, layoffs appear to be leveling off.

New jobless claims in Georgia dropped for the fourth consecutive week, the Georgia Department of Labor said Thursday.

“Companies are playing catch-up,” said Kim Wallace, executive vice president with Hire Dynamics, a Duluth-based staffing company. “In the last four weeks, we’re really seeing more people getting back to work.”

There has been strong hiring in e-commerce, logistics, warehousing and delivery services, as well as in technology.

Atlanta-based Antonline, which sells gaming and computer tech equipment, announced that it is adding about 100 jobs for web developers, assistant buyers, warehouse managers and others.

Any rebound is vulnerable so long as the coronavirus is not contained, said Bill Adams, senior economist at PNC Financial Services. With the latest surge in the number of cases, he said, “This is a particularly conflicted moment for the economic recovery.”

In some sectors, like construction and motor vehicles manufacturing, spending is down and hiring is flat.

But the hardest hit is the hospitality industry. Georgia has about 75,000 fewer hospitality jobs now than in February,

according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.