Employment status and financial resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the association between employment status and financial resilience during COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This employed US nationally representative data. A index was created based on households' ability pay for basic living expenses resources used meet such needs. Employment categorized into seven groups whether respondent worked in last days, experience income shock since start pandemic workers' household reasons not working non-workers' household. generalized linear model (GLM) relationship resilience. An ordinary least square (OLS) logistic regression with no proportional odds assumption investigate respondent's expenses. utilized explore by Findings top three financially resilient households include those which work affected pandemic, did due being sick COVID or caring someone fear COVID. Research limitations/implications Future research should distinguish when examining unemployment as well their overall wellbeing. Cross-sectional data cannot establish a causal relationship. using may be other countries. Practical implications Workers health risks professionals these clients consider building safety net. Policymakers develop measures allow normal business operations while effectively contain spread virus. Originality/value that considers various situations, allows both internal external cover reflects diverse nature first look voluntary involuntary labor force separation non-COVID-19 related reasons.