If you think it”s depressing to be one of the construction, manufacturing or retail workers who make up today’s increasing unemployment rate, imagine what it’s like for the people left out of that all important job statistic. Because in addition to those who have actively looked for work in the past four weeks without any luck – the definition of true unemployment – there’s a few other growing groups that could use a little attention.
About 2.2 million Americans would like to work, are available for work and had looked for a job in the past 12 months, but were not counted as “unemployed.” They gave up the search over a month ago – the unemployed have sent out resumes or made phone calls in the past four weeks – and are now considered “marginally attached to the labor market.” Step No. 1 might involve giving this group a better name, particularly since it’s increasing. There are 615,000 new members from a year ago.
Leave A Comment