Washington Business Winter 2019 | Washington Business | Page 24

what’s working
Reporting for Duty
How military spouses can help solve the workforce shortage.
Andrew Lenderman
Military spouses are often unemployed or working part time. This talented labor
pool is one answer that could help solve America’s workforce shortage.
At A Glance
There are nearly 700,000 military
spouses across the country who
are often unemployed, working
part time or in jobs they are
overqualified for.
There are also 7.1 million job
openings in America, part of the
ongoing workforce shortage.
Washington employers and
state leaders are addressing
this challenge with
innovative solutions.
The unemployment rate for
military spouses is 16 percent, or
four times the national average
for adult women.
Of employed spouses surveyed,
more than 25 percent are
working part time.
Half of those part-time workers
would prefer a full-time job.
Twenty-five percent of
employed spouses are working
more than one job.
About 70 percent of employed
spouses do not believe their past
experience or education is being
fully utilized at their current job.
24 association of washington business
There’s a major untapped talent pool that could help solve Washington’s workforce
shortage.
Approximately 690,000 military spouses across the country are often unemployed and
underemployed, working part time or at jobs they’re overqualified for.
Sixteen percent of military spouses are unemployed, which is four times the current
rate for adult women, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reports. And among
employed spouses, about 70 percent said their education or work experience is not being
fully utilized.
Sometimes these spouses land good jobs when they move to a new town, or work
remotely for their old employer. But too often, they are changing their addresses and
hiding their family’s public service when going into a job interview. Their top challenge
in seeking employment is that a company won’t hire them because they might move in
the future, a recent survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation shows.