What do recent layoffs across N.Y. indicate for the economy?

As the Tesla plant in Western New York lays off more than 300 workers, so do other companies in New York state, according to the state Department of Labor WARN Notice database.

Nine WARN notices were filed this month alone, indicating more than 600 jobs lost.

“When you’re suddenly unemployed, through no fault of your own, it can really feel like you’ve just fallen through the floor,” said Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Labor commissioner. “Our jobs give us stability. And looking for a job is not easy.”

When companies file a WARN notice, members of the NYS DOL Rapid Response Team connect with impacted workers to help them get back on their feet. They help people with resume writing, interviewing and even breaking into a new industry.

From April 1 to May 9, more than 2,600 New Yorkers were laid off, but economists say in spite of that, the job market is actually growing.

“There’s an old adage that says, ‘When somebody else loses their job, it’s an inconvenience. When you lose your job, it’s a depression,’” said Dr. Fred Floss, co-director of the Center for Economic Education at SUNY Buffalo State.

Floss said there is still federal COVID funding making its way through the economy, and jobs continue to be added across the country.

“Layoffs are always announced in clumps. Hiring is always done one at a time. So we’re always looking and seeing larger numbers of layoffs. What we don’t see is the people that are being hired,” said Floss.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 175,000 jobs in April, which is less than March’s 315,000 jobs.

“This is all normal,” Floss said. “There’s always people losing jobs and other people gaining jobs. And over time, that’s how the economy evolves to be better.”