"Even during periods of non-economic downturn, the Hispanic unemployment rate is highly volatile," Mr. Reyes says. "These findings should serve as a warning call that this large and growing segment has risk factors that should be addressed. The success or failure of this segment can influence the entire economic system."
Based on historic employment trends, the study found that the disparity in unemployment rates between white and Hispanic workers likely will not correct itself and recommends policy actions to address some of the underlying causes. The researchers found that Hispanic workers are vulnerable to job loss in part because they are underrepresented in managerial and professional positions and jobs that are less vulnerable to economic downturns such as education and health care.
Mr. Reyes says the findings are particularly important because workers of Hispanic origin represent such a large and growing segment of the U.S. workforce.
"This paper arrives at a time where there is still an opportunity to affect this trend," he says. "There are strategic policies available that can have a great influence over this large segment of our population."
