Half a million more U.S. workers lost their jobs in December. With unemployment at a 16-year high, and 21 million Americans either unemployed or underemployed, “Brother, can you spare a job?” is what’s getting asked of HR pros everywhere.

I was flying to Chicago from Philly last week, and the entire topic of conversation for two hours in my section was about people out of work, knowing someone out of work, or people feeling like they were imminently out of work. Oh, they talked about failed investments and housing woes, too. What’s an HR pro to do? (Lately, I’ve been tempted to tell people I’m a car salesman or a realtor. No one thrusts resumes and job guilt at car salespeople or realtors these days.)

My take is this: Let’s help people.

Even during this economic disaster, companies are still hiring. Even though the money supply has dried up, that doesn’t mean companies can just hibernate until it’s over. Work needs to be done, and good people are looking for work. Where should the unemployed look? You hear these stories about people sending out 500 resumes, only to hear back from a handful, and getting an interview at one.

Here’s a suggestion: Get your employees to do your recruiting. Isn’t it weird when an employee, and especially someone in HR, gets asked, “Are you guys hiring?” and their answer is, “I dunno. You’ll have to go to the website.” Wouldn’t it be great if employees knew the deal and what jobs were available. And it’d be double great if they new the actual process of how someone gets hired at your company — from whom to contact with a resume, to how the interview process works, to what’s available.

Great people are out there looking for a job. The only way we’re going to get out of this is by lending a hand and helping people. What other ideas do you have?

Bing Crosby Sings 1932’s Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?