Classifying Employed, Unemployed, and Not in the Labor Force

Question

Classify each of the following individuals in one of the following categories: employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force.

1. Steve worked 40 hours last week in an office supply store
2. Roger lost his job at the R-gone Manufacturing Company. Since then he has been trying to find a job at other local factories.
3. Linda is a homemaker. Last week she was occupied with her normal household chores. She neither held a job nor looked for a job.
4. Scott has a Ph.D. He worked full-time but does not like his job as a dishwasher. He has applied for jobs with three companies and five universities. As soon as he gets an offer, he will quit his current job.
5. Mary-Helen has been out of work for a full year. She would take a job if it was offered, but no local companies are hiring. She is not actively searching for work.

Answer 1

1. Steve worked 40 hours last week in an office supply store. Employed. Steve is employed full-time.
2. Roger lost his job at the R-gone Manufacturing Company. Since then he has been trying to find a job at other local factories. Unemployed. Since he does not have a job and has looked for work during the past 4 weeks.
3. Linda is a homemaker. Last week she was occupied with her normal household chores. She neither held a job nor looked for a job. Not in the labor force. Was not employed and was also not looking for work.
4. Scott has a Ph.D. He worked full-time but does not like his job as a dishwasher. He has applied for jobs with three companies and five universities. As soon as he gets an offer, he will quit his current job. Employed. Scott is working part-time for economic reasons, as full-time jobs are not available. He is considered employed by BLS, even though he is underemployed.
5. Mary-Helen has been out of work for a full year. She would take a job if it was offered, but no local companies are hiring. She is not actively searching for work. Not in the labor force. She is a marginally attached worker.