A Resurgence in U.S. Employment: Analysis of ADP's Latest Report
On December 16, 2025, ADP, a leading provider of human resources and payroll solutions, released its preliminary findings for the National Employment Report (NER) for the four weeks ending November 29, 2025. This report highlights a significant rebound in job creation, with an average of 16,250 jobs being added each week during this period. This marks a hopeful turn in a labor market that had faced challenges just weeks prior.
Recent Employment Trends
The recent data indicates a positive shift following a series of job losses that plagued the latter part of November. During the first three weeks of the month, the U.S. private sector faced declining employment, with job losses reported at 9,250, 12,000, and 7,250 jobs, respectively. However, as reported on November 29, the tide has turned with a surge in job creation that signals a potential recovery in hiring trends.
The following is a summary of the employment changes over the past month:
- - Week ending 11/1/25: -7,250 jobs
- - Week ending 11/8/25: -12,000 jobs
- - Week ending 11/15/25: -9,250 jobs
- - Week ending 11/22/25: 2,750 jobs
- - Week ending 11/29/25: 16,250 jobs
The sharp increase in job creation during the last phase of November suggests that private employers are beginning to expand their workforces again, which could be indicative of renewed business confidence in the economic climate.
Implications of the Data
The NER Pulse, which is a weekly update documenting employment trends, is based on extensive high-frequency data from ADP’s client base and adjusted for seasonal fluctuations. While these estimates are preliminary and can be subject to revision, the resilience shown in these numbers is promising for businesses and the workforce alike.
A fluctuating job market can often be alarming for economic analysts and policymakers, but this recent increase may suggest a stabilization in hiring practices. Previous weeks of losses might have prompted businesses to reevaluate their staffing needs, leading to a cautious yet positive outlook moving forward.
About ADP and Its Research
ADP Research aims to leverage data-driven insights to enhance productivity across workforce management strategies. This latest report not only provides crucial numbers but also showcases the association with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. Such collaborations are essential in creating a clear understanding of employment dynamics, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions.
The NER Pulse is released every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. ET, measuring week-over-week changes in employment, and is a vital component of understanding the labor market's health. Upcoming reports, including the next scheduled for January 12, 2026, will continue to provide insights into employment trends.
Conclusion
Given ADP's stature in workforce solutions, the reported increase in employment reflects positively on the ongoing recovery phase of the U.S. job market. As we step into 2026, keeping a close eye on these trends will help forecast the trajectory of economic recovery and the overall health of the labor market in the coming year. This information is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and workforce experts who are navigating through the complexities of employment trends during recovering times.