Layoffs Sweeping the Construction Industry

Halted construction work has contributed to a growing number of layoffs in the construction industry during the month of April.

1 minute read

April 17, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Coronavirus Economy

Daniel Ferrer Paez / Shutterstock

"The coronavirus pandemic is causing construction companies to cut back on their employees, something that seemed unthinkable a few months ago​," reports Jenn Goodman. 

"As of April 3, 27% of construction firms responding to an online survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America reported they had furloughed or terminated workers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic," explains Goodman. That number quickly grew, however. "That number was at 40% by April 10."

The layoffs respond partly to closures of work sites on government orders around the country, but contractors report a host of other concerns in the industry right now, including materials shortages, PPE shortages, potential infected workers, lack of government action and a shortage of craftworkers, Goodman reports. Seven percent of projects have been canceled by the owners of projects reporting information to the survey.


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