The Atlanta Fed said that in November, employees that stayed at their jobs got a 5.5% pay increase, up from 3.7% annual growth in January 2022. This was the highest pay increase recorded in 25 years.
It appears that companies are being forced to pay higher wages to keep their current employees from going elsewhere for higher pay.
Companies are offering significant pay raises in an effort to retain top talent and address the challenges of recruiting and retaining employees in the current job market. These raises, however, may contribute to rising inflation, which could have broader economic implications.
The tight labor market, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it difficult for companies to find and retain workers. To address this issue, some companies are offering large pay increases, signing bonuses, and other perks in an effort to attract and keep employees.
While this is good news for workers, it could have broader economic consequences. As companies raise salaries to compete for talent, they may also need to increase prices for their products or services to offset the higher labor costs. This, in turn, could lead to higher inflation, which is defined as a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy.
Higher inflation is the main focus of the Fed’s policy right now. Higher inflation can of course erode the purchasing power of consumers, making it more difficult for them to afford goods and services.
It can also impact the performance of financial assets, such as stocks and bonds, and make it more difficult for the central bank to set monetary policy.
Overall, while the trend of companies offering big pay raises to attract and retain employees is a positive development for workers, it may have unintended consequences for the overall economy.
Create your own economic rescue plan by learning how to invest in real estate. Coach Brian Gormley has created real estate investment training on demand and offers one-on-one coaching opportunities. Invest in yourself and your future by learning to invest in real estate!
