Description

WKSWORK2, like WKSWORK1, reports the number of weeks that the respondent worked for profit, pay, or as an unpaid family worker during the previous year. For the census, the reference period is the previous calendar year; for the ACS, the reference period is the previous 12 months. WKSWORK2 differs from WKSWORK1 in that responses are given in intervals (1-13 weeks, 14-26 weeks, and so on), instead of the precise number of weeks. This is because the 1960 and 1970 samples recorded weeks worked only in intervals. For the other years contained in WKSWORK2 (the 1940-1950 and 1980-2000 censuses, the ACS, and the PRCS), the exact number of weeks worked is recorded in WKSWORK1.

For further discussion, see the WKSWORK1 variable description. See EMPSTAT for definitions of key labor force and employment terminology.

Comparability

The 1940 WKSWORK1 and WKSWORK2 values are not comparable with later years. In 1940, respondents were asked to give the number of weeks worked in terms of "equivalent full-time weeks." It was up to respondents to determine what "full-time" meant in their locality, occupation, and industry. If respondents did not know how many hours should be regarded as a full-time week, enumerators were instructed to suggest that 40 hours was a reasonable figure. In essence, respondents were told to estimate how many hours they had averaged per week, multiply this figure by 52 weeks, then divide by about 40, the Census Bureau acknowledged that many people would simply estimate their answers, and instructed enumerators to accept this. Thus, in 1940, a person who had worked about 20 hours per week throughout the year should have responded 26 weeks. In later years, respondents were instructed to give the number of weeks in which they had done any work (including, as in 1940, paid vacation and other paid absences).

In 1940, schoolteachers were instructed not to count their summer vacations as time worked. In 1950, teachers were instructed to report all weeks paid (including paid absences, vacations, and sick leave). In the absence of specific instructions for 1960 on, teachers who received pay over the summer probably considered this time to be paid vacation and therefore included it as weeks worked.

Starting with the 2008 ACS, the Census Bureau implemented changes to the survey questionnaire to bring ACS estimates of labor force statistics closer to estimates from other data sources. Researchers should use caution when comparing employment questions across the 2007-2008 period.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr; ACS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2004: All samples
• 2003: All samples
• 2002: All samples
• 2001: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1960: All samples
• 1950: All samples
• 1940: All samples
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: PRCS; PRCS 3yr; PRCS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.