As I have detailed for you in the past (for instance here),
the acceleration and deceleration of employment levels can be a
significant and useful indicator to gauge current and future economic
growth. More so, I employed the household data over the establishment
data, primarily based on research (for instance research done by ECRI)
on the versatility of the household data. Maybe you should begin looking
at the household over the establishment data also. To that end, Michael
Shedlock looks at the difference between the two data sets and the
potentially significant problems in the establishment data.
via Michael Shedlock
Every month (on average), for about a year, there has been a startling discrepancy between employment as measured by the household survey and jobs as reported by the establishment survey.
I believe the discrepancy is yet another Obamacare artifact.
Jobs vs. Employment Discussion
Before diving into the details, it is important to understand limits on data, and how the BLS measures jobs in the establishment survey vs. employment in the household survey.
Establishment Survey: If you work one hour that counts as a job. There is no difference between one hour and 50 hours.
Establishment Survey: If you work multiple jobs you are counted twice. The BLS does not weed out duplicate social security numbers.
Household Survey: If you work one hour or 80 you are employed.
Household Survey: If you work a total of 35 hours you are considered a full time employee. If you work 25 hours at one job and 10 hours at another, you are a fulltime employee.
Recall that the definition of fulltime under Obamacare is 30 hours, but fulltime to the BLS is 35 hours.
Next, consider what happens under Obamacare if someone working 34 hours is cut back to 25 hours, then picks up another parttime job.
Obamacare Effect
Prior to Obamacare
34 hours worked = 1 parttime job household survey
34 hours worked = 1 job establishment survey
Enter obamacare
Person cut back to 25 hours and takes a second job for 10 hours
Here is the new math
25 + 10 = 1 fulltime job on the household survey.
25 + 10 = 2 jobs on the establishment survey.
In my example, the household survey totals up all the hours and says, voilla! (35 hours = full time). So a few extra hours that people pick up working 2 part time jobs now throws someone into full time status – thus no surge in part-time employment, but there is a surge in jobs.
The whole article can be read at the link above, but this does call into the question the integrity of the establishment data.
via Michael Shedlock
Every month (on average), for about a year, there has been a startling discrepancy between employment as measured by the household survey and jobs as reported by the establishment survey.
I believe the discrepancy is yet another Obamacare artifact.
Jobs vs. Employment Discussion
Before diving into the details, it is important to understand limits on data, and how the BLS measures jobs in the establishment survey vs. employment in the household survey.
Establishment Survey: If you work one hour that counts as a job. There is no difference between one hour and 50 hours.
Establishment Survey: If you work multiple jobs you are counted twice. The BLS does not weed out duplicate social security numbers.
Household Survey: If you work one hour or 80 you are employed.
Household Survey: If you work a total of 35 hours you are considered a full time employee. If you work 25 hours at one job and 10 hours at another, you are a fulltime employee.
Recall that the definition of fulltime under Obamacare is 30 hours, but fulltime to the BLS is 35 hours.
Next, consider what happens under Obamacare if someone working 34 hours is cut back to 25 hours, then picks up another parttime job.
Obamacare Effect
Prior to Obamacare
34 hours worked = 1 parttime job household survey
34 hours worked = 1 job establishment survey
Enter obamacare
Person cut back to 25 hours and takes a second job for 10 hours
Here is the new math
25 + 10 = 1 fulltime job on the household survey.
25 + 10 = 2 jobs on the establishment survey.
In my example, the household survey totals up all the hours and says, voilla! (35 hours = full time). So a few extra hours that people pick up working 2 part time jobs now throws someone into full time status – thus no surge in part-time employment, but there is a surge in jobs.
The whole article can be read at the link above, but this does call into the question the integrity of the establishment data.
Thank you so much for such a well-written article. It’s full of insightful information. Your point of view is the best among many without fail.For certain, It is one of the best blogs in my opinion. private household jobs
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