Hernandez 1

Ruth Hernandez
Cindy Rogers
English 12: Spring 16
11 February 2016
The Unemployment Rate
For quite a while America has been trying to lower the unemployment rate.
Unemployment affects us more than we think because people who file for unemployment only
get a certain amount of money. When people are employed they are allowed minimum rage to
start with and they hardly get raises, which are needed to help support their family, house
requirements, and personal necessities. Unemployment defined means different things to people
in can mean having no ob or it can mean they are getting unemployment assistance. In regards to
the employment rate varies on how our Economy is doing. In my opinion the government does
not help the low class or middle class as much as they should. Those who are unemployed are
not supported by the government especially since those who are unemployed are not high class.
Unemployment in the US has caused there to be less jobs and less money for people.
Unfortunately, people who are unemployed are unable to provide for their family. They
are not able to get the essentials. For example, the simple things like going to the grocery store is
different for them. They are not to pay their house and other bills on time. Most times employees
are laid off and they are not in control or responsible for being fired. The people who are
employed are receiving minimum wage or a little higher than minimum wage, so even if you are
working your paycheck is not enough stability to rely on. Multifactor productivity rate is,
Multifactor productivity increases 0.2% in 2015, slower growth rate than in 2014.

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Often people are afraid of being laid off and have to do whatever they can to keep their job since
being unemployed is not the best option. The unemployed constantly find it difficult to start
working again and find a job that supports them. Some facts relating to unemployment,
Underemployment and unemployment combined exceeded 17% in 2009, the worst such rate
since

at

least

the

1970s

and

perhaps

since

the

Great

Depression.

(https://www.questia.com/library/economics-and-business/business/employment-and-theworkplace/unemployment) Those are some of the most improtant facts regarding unemployment
and employment.
Unemployment can have different meanings, but unemployment is not always a negative
subject. For example unemployment insurance provides those who have lost their job with
benefits as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. There are consequences to being
unemployed for a long period of time, the time you are not working the more lost income.
Another definition of an unemployed person is someone who lost their job and is constantly
looking for work. Someone who is not working and is not looking for work can not be
considered as unemployed. Unemployment defined can be thought of as, unemployment,
condition

of

one

who

is

able

to

work

but

unable

to

find

work.

(https://www.questia.com/library/economics-and-business/business/employment-and-theworkplace/unemployment) In the United States the unemployemtn rate was at five perecent as of
April 2016. In January The unemployment rate was at 4.9%, as shown in the graph below. The
change

in

jobs

has

been

151,000

since

January.

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Even people that are employed for a while can lose their jobs. There are often cases
where people can replace them because they might have more experience or can bring a different
work ethic to the job. There are also seasonal layoffs that occur at some jobs. Some companies
do not need as many employees so they fire them, leaving people jobless. For those looking for a
job there is lists of jobs at indeed.com, but often times people who apply do not meet the job
requirements. In order to get the job you must have experience in the key components of the job
you are applying for. In regards to employment, Total nonfarm payroll employment increased
by 160,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.0 percent.
(http://www.bls.gov/home.htm) Those are some facts regarding employment and the troubles of
finding a job. Unemployment is also caused by urban migration. When industrial development
has to employ migrants.

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The government has been trying to solve the unemployment rate for a while now. Starting
January 2016 they added 58,000 jobs to the work force. For health care, there has been over
37,000 more jobs added since the beginning of the year. As well as in food places, they have
added over 47,000 jobs since this year and in total 384,000 jobs over the past 12 months. There
are many jobs being made and there are many jobs being lost. The advancement of technology is
a blessing and a curse for many people. There is more accuracy with computers and machines
then with a human mind. There are many machines and robots that can do the jobs of people,
faster and more accurate, thus putting many without a job.
Change from:
Mar.
2016Apr.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

Apr.

2015

2016

2016

2016

2016

Civilian noninstitutional population

250,266

252,577

252,768

252,969

201

Civilian labor force

157,032

158,890

159,286

158,924

-362

62.7

62.9

63.0

62.8

-0.2

148,509

151,074

151,320

151,004

-316

Employment-population ratio

59.3

59.8

59.9

59.7

-0.2

Unemployed

8,523

7,815

7,966

7,920

-46

Category
Employment status

Participation rate

Employed

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5.4

4.9

5.0

5.0

0.0

93,234

93,688

93,482

94,044

562

Total, 16 years and over

5.4

4.9

5.0

5.0

0.0

Adult men (20 years and over)

5.0

4.5

4.5

4.6

0.1

Adult women (20 years and over)

4.9

4.5

4.6

4.5

-0.1

Teenagers (16 to 19 years)

17.1

15.6

15.9

16.0

0.1

Unemployment rate

Not in labor force

Unemployment rates

There are so many people struggling when it comes to unemployment. Unfortunately, the
highest unemployment rate has occurred recently, it was 12.2 in October of 2010 in California.
The historical low rate for California was 4.7 and occurred six years ago. These rates are a
majority percentage of labor. The unemployment rate is determined by those who are actively
looking for work and a secure job. In a recent study, as of April 2016 the unemployment rate for
Hispanics increased at 6.1 percent. The United States jobless rate rose to five percent which
came as a surprise to many people. Another interesting fact about unemployment regards
students, college students especially are affected by this they go to school for a degree and then
once they have their degree they are jobless because no one will hire them.

Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows

Seasonally Adjusted
Mar. 2016p
State

Rate

Historical High
Date

Rate

Historical Low
Date

Rate

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Alabama

6.2

Dec. 1982

15.5

Apr. 2007

3.8

Alaska

6.6

Aug. 1986

11.2

June 2007

6.3

Arizona

5.4

Dec. 1982

11.5

July 2007

3.7

Arkansas

4.0

Feb. 1983

10.3

Mar. 2016

4.0

California

5.4

Oct. 2010

12.2

Dec. 2000

4.7

In conclusion the unemployment rate has been increasing over the past years. In my
opinion the Government hasnt done anything to help or control it. They come up with new jobs
but unfortunately the technology is so high not many people can compete with their expectations.
Those who are employed are constantly worried about losing their job and have to continue to
improve in order to stay employed. The definition of someone who is unemployed is when you
do not have a job but you are constantly looking to find a job. Finding a job is so difficult in my
opinion because if you do not have any experience with that job you are not considered for that
position. Those are some main reasons people struggle no matter if they are employed or not.
Unemployment in the US has caused there to be less jobs and less money for people.

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Citations;
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Transmission Of Material In This Release Is Embargoed Until, and 8:30 A.m.
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