Hispanic Workforce Hit Harder During Economic Downturns

Released on: October 9, 2008, 12:14 pm

Press Release Author: Androvett Legal Media

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: DALLAS - Hispanic workers represent one of the
fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce, but they also are at particular risk
during economic downturns, suffering negative effects sooner, more severely and for
longer duration than their white counterparts, according to the findings of an
academic study published in the Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss
Analysis.

Press Release Body: Texas Tech researchers recommend policy action to close Hispanic
unemployment gap

DALLAS - Hispanic workers represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S.
workforce, but they also are at particular risk during economic downturns, suffering
negative effects sooner, more severely and for longer duration than their white
counterparts, according to the findings of an academic study published in the
Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis.

Analyzing employment data from 1976 to 2008, researchers from the Texas Tech
University Rawls College of BusinessTM conclude that historically, workers of
Hispanic heritage have faced greater threats of unemployment, lower rates of
successful job matches and greater instability than the workforce as a whole. The
findings are presented in a paper entitled, "Examination and Comparison of Hispanic
and White Unemployment Rates," authored by Dallas attorney Angel Reyes, Texas Tech
professors Bradley T. Ewing, Ph.D., and James C. Wetherbe, Ph.D., and Augusta State
University professor Mark A. Thompson, Ph.D.

"Even during periods of non-economic downturn, the Hispanic unemployment rate is
highly volatile," Mr. Reyes says. "These findings should serve as a warning call
that this large and growing segment has risk factors that should be addressed. The
success or failure of this segment can influence the entire economic system."

Based on historic employment trends, the study found that the disparity in
unemployment rates between white and Hispanic workers likely will not correct itself
and recommends policy actions to address some of the underlying causes. The
researchers found that Hispanic workers are vulnerable to job loss in part because
they are underrepresented in managerial and professional positions and jobs that are
less vulnerable to economic downturns such as education and health care.

Mr. Reyes says the findings are particularly important because workers of Hispanic
origin represent such a large and growing segment of the U.S.
workforce.

"This paper arrives at a time where there is still an opportunity to affect this
trend," he says. "There are strategic policies available that can have a great
influence over this large segment of our population."

For more information or for a copy of the study, please contact Mark Annick at
800-559-4534, 214-213-1754 (mobile) or mark@androvett.com.


Web Site: http://androvett.com

Contact Details: Mark Annick, Androvett Legal Media
2501 Oak Lawn Ste. 650
Dallas, Texas 75219
214-559-4630

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