Early each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the latest employment and unemployment statistics. These figures, and especially the national unemployment rate, are closely watched and often receive broad media coverage. Unemployment has many implications, not just for those who are jobless; it reduces families’ disposable income, erodes purchasing power, and diminishes employee morale.
The official unemployment rate (U-3) is the percentage of the working-age population—that is, civilian noninstitutionalized people ages 16 and over—who are not employed but who want jobs and are actively seeking them. It is the most commonly used measure of labor underutilization, although other measures exist. The BLS publishes data on five alternative measures of unemployment, including the so-called U-6 measure that includes people involuntarily working part time for economic reasons, as well as discouraged workers and those who are marginally attached to the labor force. These alternative measures show similar movements over the business cycle and may provide a more accurate picture of underutilization.
Some level of stress in the workplace is normal and can even be beneficial, motivating us to work hard to meet deadlines or achieve complex goals. But when stress becomes constant or starts affecting your personal life, it’s probably a red flag that you’re in an unhealthy job. Identifying unhealthy work environments is an important first step to making positive changes in your job or career, such as finding productive ways to address challenges at work or seeking healthier alternatives where you’d be happier and more fulfilled.