While the increase in the number of unemployed Americans has been a focus of economists throughout the pandemic, another problem has been mostly overlooked: The people that do have jobs are calling out sick in record numbers.
Unlike the jobless rate, which has declined noticeably, the rate of absenteeism (旷工) has remained stubbornly high. More than 1.9 million people missed work in December, according to Labor Department data. Michael Gapen, chief US economist, says although vaccinations could start driving down absenteeism, the missed work is causing supply chain problems. “Absenteeism could lead to shortages; it could lead to higher prices and more limited output,” he says.
The problem is so acute that companies are lobbying local authorities to get their workers near the front of the line for vaccinations. “There are instances of having to shut down lines at various points in time in order to manage the absenteeism,” says Geoff Freeman, a chief executive officer.
According to the Institute for Supply Management, factory activities increased in December, with the employment returning to a level that indicates growth. However, one complaint is that suppliers are still struggling with their own employee shortages, which is causing supply problems. “The quantity of infections and the quantity of people who are sick or having to self-quarantine (自我隔离) are just so overwhelming that everybody has to be affected by it,” Timothy Fiore, said on a Jan. 5 call with reporters.
For office workers, 90% of professionals said before the pandemic they'd sometimes go to work sick. COVID-19, however, contributes to the fact that more employees are staying home to protect themselves and others.
“We know when the absenteeism will end, and that's when we get the vaccine in people's arms,” says a manager. But a lack of federal leadership means “this is the Wild West right now, and we see the results of that.”
12. What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us about absenteeism?
A.Its root causes. | B.Its major consequences. |
C.Its future development. | D.Its economic values. |
13. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “lobbying” in paragraph 3?
A.Persuading. | B.Cheating. |
C.Informing. | D.Predicting. |
14. What can we say about America’s absent workers?
A.They complain about their working conditions. |
B.They call out sick because of their mental pressure. |
C.They struggle with the supply shortages. |
D.They are largely impacted by the pandemic. |
15. What can be inferred from the text?
A.There are more jobless workers than the absent ones. |
B.Supply chain problems are causing absenteeism. |
C.All people aren’t satisfied with the federal government. |
D.Workers won’t return to work even if they are vaccinated. |