Identifying the Real Costs of Military Spouse Unemployment
With the release of our latest study, Military Spouses in the Workplace: Understanding the Impacts of Spouse Unemployment on Military Recruitment, Retention, and Readiness, Hiring Our Heroes is kick starting a conversation around what it means to be a dual-income military family in the 21st century.
The study, made possible with financial contributions from La Quinta Inns & Suites, surveyed more than 1,000 military and recent veteran spouses nationwide to better understand the military spouse employment landscape and discover the impact of military spouse unemployment and underemployment on the recruitment and retention of America’s all-volunteer military.
What We Discovered About Military Spouse Unemployment and Underemployment
Unemployment continues to be a challenge for military spouses, even for military spouses who are currently employed. Many employed military spouses are in part-time or seasonal positions when they would prefer full time or permanent work.
Education is not necessarily the great equalizer when it comes to military spouse employment. Military spouses with degrees face the greatest challenges in nearly every measurable employment category.
Being a dual-income family is both a want and a need for 21st century military families. The lack of employment opportunities for military spouses creates stress and influence a family’s decision to stay or leave the military-factors that ultimately hurt military readiness, retention, and recruiting.
Download a Copy of Military Spouses in the Workplace Here
The study results were announced at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-hosted Military Spouse Employment Summit on June 14, 2017. The half-day event featured special remarks from Dr. Jill Biden, spouse of former Vice President Joe Biden and the co-founder of Joining Forces; SBA Administrator Linda McMahon; U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President Suzanne Clark; Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway; and military family advocate Bonnie Amos.
