The US has one of the largest world economies, and a robust market for skilled workers. It’s important to bear in mind the employment laws and regulations that will affect you when you enter the market. This article lays out some of the key points to be aware of when considering growing your business in the US.
The market at a glance
Size of workforce
Those who work for pay or profit for at least one hour a week, or who have a job but are temporarily not at work due to illness, leave or industrial action
162m
people
Employment rate
The ratio of the employed to the working age
71.1%
Education rate
% of population (25-44 yrs old) with tertiary graduation rates
47.7%
Cost of labour
Average wages
$63,093
English proficiency index
The world's largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills
N/A
Finding the right talent
The US has a number of channels through which to target talent. LinkedIn is widely used, especially by recruiters, to proactively find talent and reach out to candidates. There are also a number of job boards, such as Indeed.com, Monster, and CareerBuilder, used across the country for all different types of roles.
The US has a host of reputable recruitment agencies focused on every level from executive to temporary or freelance workers. The best way to decide which firm to engage with is to find one that specializes by function or level.
Things to keep in mind
The US Department of Labor outlines major federal labour laws to be aware of. It’s also worth noting additional nuances at the state level, especially regarding taxes, that will affect operations and hiring in the US.
Additionally, most employment in the United States is on an at-will basis, meaning that an employee can be fired for a lawful reason at any time.
Sources:
- Total 2017 Labour force
- % of working age population
- % of population (25-44 yrs old) with tertiary graduation rates
- Average wage
- English proficiency index