U.S. businesses added 807,000 jobs in December despite the emergence of the omicron variant, according to data released Wednesday by payroll processor ADP, far exceeding expectations, The Hill reported. The ADP National Employment Report, a closely watched gauge of private sector job growth, showed private non-farm payrolls adding almost twice as many new workers as analysts projected. Private sector job growth was spread broadly among businesses of all sizes and industries, said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson. “December’s job market strengthened as the fallout from the delta variant faded and omicron’s impact had yet to be seen,” Richardson said in a statement. “Job gains were broad-based, as goods producers added the strongest reading of the year, while service providers dominated growth. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees added 204,000 workers last month, while mid-sized firms added 214,000 new workers and companies with more than 500 employees added 389,000 new workers to payrolls. Good-producing businesses added 138,000 jobs while service sector firms added 669,000. The leisure and hospitality sector, which is deeply vulnerable to COVID-19 shocks, also added 246,000 jobs last month despite the omicron surge.
