IPUMS USA: descr: EMPSTAT

IPUMS USA

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EMPSTAT

Employment status

Description

EMPSTAT indicates whether the respondent was a part of the labor force -- working or seeking work -- and, if so, whether the person was currently unemployed. The second digit preserves additional related information available for some years but not others. See LABFORCE for a dichotomous variable that identifies whether a person participated in the labor force or not and is available for all years in the IPUMS.

Codes and Frequencies

Category availability view
Case-count view

General codes (5 categories)
Detailed codes (18 categories)

An 'X' indicates the category is available for that sample

Code	Label	2023 acs	2022 acs	2021 acs	2016 acs	2011 acs	2006 acs	2000 1pct	1990 1pct	1980 1pct	1970 met2	1970 met1	1960 1pct	1950 1pct	1940 1pct	1930 1pct	1910 1pct
0	N/A	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	·	·
1	Employed	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
2	Unemployed	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
3	Not in labor force	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
9	Unknown/Illegible	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·

Can't find the category you are looking for? Try the Detailed codes

Comparability

Overview: None of the questionnaires actually used the term "labor force." Instead, they asked respondents a series of questions designed to determine which category best described their employment status. The labor force categories in EMPSTAT were subsequently constructed from the responses to these questions.

The categories, defined below, of "in the labor force," "employed," "unemployed," and "not in the labor force" are fairly, but not perfectly, comparable across years. The universe changed considerably between 1910 and 1940, and there was a shift in the age of respondents between 1970 and 1980. Users can create a comparable universe across all years except 1910 by limiting their analysis to adults age 16+. Other factors that may in some cases limit comparability are discussed below.

User Caution: If an analysis includes 1910, the universe must be restricted to employees who were not institutional inmates, to make 1910 comparable with other years (i.e., exclude persons coded as 13 in RELATE). In addition, in 1910, users should consult CLASSWKR for information on whether the respondent was an employee, self-employed, or an employer, to help clarify the universe of employees for that year.

The 2000 Census estimates of the number of employed persons is about 5% lower than the official CPS based estimates while the Census estimates of the number of unemployed persons is about 50% higher than the official CPS based estimate. These discrepancies have been linked to errors in the scanning of forms from non-institutional Group Quarters. More information can be found in the Notes and Errata for the 2000 Census. Furthermore, questionnaire differences between CPS and Census, and changes between 1990 and 2000 Census may also have contributed to these employment discrepancies among non-Group Quarters individuals. An evaluation of linked respondents between the 2000 Census and the CPS found that non-Group Quarters individuals who were recorded as employed in the CPS and not employed in the Census were disproportionately young or older workers (16-24 and 65+), and had less education (HS degree or less).

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.

Reference period: In each year, respondents were asked whether the relevant questions applied to them over a specific period of time. In 1910, respondents were to report their employment status on the day the census was taken: April 15, 1910. In 1930, respondents were to report their employment status on the previous regular working day. In later years, respondents were to report their employment status as it applied to a "reference week." In these years, persons who did any amount of work for pay or profit during any portion of the reference week were considered employed, even if they no longer considered themselves employed by the end of the week. In 1910, many persons who had a job for only part of the week would have been considered unemployed. (see CLASSWKR for information on whether the respondent was an employee, self-employed, or an employer)

In 1940, the reference week was March 24-30 (the census was taken on April 1). In later years, it was the "previous week"--which would not have been the same for all respondents, since the census or survey was taken over a period of time.

Definitions:

Labor force: In all years, the labor force essentially consists of all persons defined as "employed" or "unemployed:"
Employed persons: Prior to 1940, persons were considered employed if they were at work on the reference day (the reference day in 1910 was April 15th; the reference day in 1930 was the most recent regular working day). From 1940 onward, persons were considered employed if they worked at least one hour for pay or profit during the reference period, worked at least 15 hours as "unpaid family workers," or had a job from which they were temporarily absent (e.g., because of illness or vacation time). There are four types of employed persons: employers, self-employed persons, employees, and unpaid family workers.

Employers are owners/operators of businesses and/or farms who pay others to work for their operation(s), including housekeeping work. People who pay others to do work that is not directly related to any business or farm operation are not considered employers.
Self-employed persons are those who operate their own business, professional practice, farm, etc., or who in any other way regularly work independently to earn a living.
Employees are people who work for an employer and receive wages, salaries, room and board, or other compensation for their efforts. This includes domestic employees who are regularly paid to work for any employer(s). It also includes corporate employees.
Unpaid family workers are generally spouses or children who regularly assist the family head in running a family business or farm, but who receive no direct monetary compensation. However, general housekeeping or chores not directly related to the running of the family business/farm do not count as "unpaid family work."
Persons who fit into more than one of these four categories were to be classified according to their principal source of income (see CLASSWKR).

Unemployed persons: These are people who do not currently have a job, are looking for a job, and have not yet found one. Persons who have never worked but are actively seeking their first job ("new workers") are considered unemployed. Not included among the unemployed are employees who have jobs but are temporarily not "at work" because they are vacationing, recovering from health problems, waiting for better weather, etc.; they are considered employed.

Strikers or locked-out workers are generally not considered unemployed, unless they do not plan to return to their old job and are currently looking for another job (see definitional variations below).
Laid-off workers are generally considered unemployed, unless they are reasonably sure they will return to work soon (see definitional variations below).

Not in labor force: This is a residual category that includes all persons old enough to be included in the universe, but who do not fit any of the above definitions of labor force participation (employed or unemployed). In other words, a person is not in the labor force if that person does not operate any farm or business; does not have a job; does not work for pay; is not an unpaid family worker; and is not looking for or available for work. The bulk of the category is comprised of full-time homemakers, retirees, students who have no other occupation, people permanently unable to work, and people who simply choose not to work or to look for work. This includes formerly unemployed persons who have given up seeking work (i.e., "discouraged workers").

For 1910 and 1930, this category contains many children, since the census did not exclude them from the universe.
In 1940 and subsequent years, institutional inmates are also included in this category. In contrast, the 1910 and 1930 samples recorded gainful employment of institutional inmates.

Variations: While the definitions above generally apply to all years for which EMPSTAT is available, there are variations that might affect comparability in some cases. Furthermore, some years provide additional detail not available in other years.

Definitional variations:

Unpaid family workers: All years used the definition given above (always excluding from the definition housework, occasional helping out, and chores), but from 1950 on, the form stipulated that the spouse or child must have worked at least 15 hours for the family business or farm.

Striking workers: In 1910, all strikers were considered employed. In 1930, strikers and those on lockout were considered unemployed. In 1940 and 1950, strikers were considered employed unless they were looking for work elsewhere. In later years, persons absent from work due to a labor dispute were considered employed ("has job, not working").

Laid-off workers: In 1910, there were no specific instructions regarding laid-off workers who planned to return to their old jobs and were not looking for new ones. In 1930, those on "voluntary layoff" were considered unemployed and no specific instructions were given for those on involuntary layoff. In 1940 and 1950, laid-off workers who had not worked during the reference week, were not looking for work, and were counting on returning to their old jobs within four weeks were considered to be employed but not "at work." In subsequent years, all laid-off workers who had not worked during the reference week were considered unemployed.

Persons keeping boarders and lodgers: Persons engaged in running boarding/lodging houses were generally considered employed if the operation met certain criteria. The persons thus engaged may have been considered employers, self-employed, employees, or unpaid family-workers, depending upon the circumstances. In 1910 and 1930, keeping a boarding or lodging house was considered employment only if the operation was the principle means by which the person made a living, not if it was only a means of "supplementing or eking out the earnings or income obtained from other occupations or other sources." In 1940 and 1950, boarding/lodging five or more people was considered employment, but boarding/lodging fewer people was not. Later years do not specifically mention keepers of boarding and lodging houses, but persons who believed that the work involved in doing so met one of the criteria for employment would presumably have reported themselves to be working.

Unemployed: The preceding paragraphs note some definitional changes that will affect the classification of some workers as unemployed. Also, as noted above in the "reference period" section, in 1910 and 1930 a worker who was unemployed on the single reference day would be considered unemployed, while in later years that worker needed to be unemployed for the entire reference week.

For all years other than 1930, persons had to be not only without a job but also actively looking for work to be considered unemployed. The 1910, 1940, and 1960 censuses did not specify a period within which the person needed to have last sought a job. In 1950, the census stipulated that the person must have been looking for work within the past 60 days. Beginning in 1970, the form shortened this period to within the past four weeks (28 days) and further required that the person was available to take a job during the reference week. (It is probable that in earlier years the great majority of people looking for work were also available to work.)

Employers: Persons using only the labor of unpaid family workers are considered employers in 1910, and are thus not in the universe for EMPSTAT in that year.

Armed Forces: IPUMS USA constructs the 1910, 1930, and 1940 "armed forces" detailed code using the occupation and industry responses. If either the occupation response (OCC1950 for 1910 and 1930; OCC1950 and OCC for 1940) or industry (IND for 1940) indicated military employment, that person was given the "armed forces" code in EMPSTAT. Because the industry category may include persons who were not actually members of the armed forces but were employed in some capacity by them, the IPUMS "armed forces" EMPSTAT category probably somewhat overstates military employment in these years. For 1950 on, the "armed forces" category was included in the "Employment Status" variable in the PUMS.

Additional detail available in some years:

All years except for 1910 distinguish between employed people who were at work during any part of the reference week and those who were absent for the entire week (i.e., who had a job but were not at work).
The 1930 census indicates whether or not a person filled out an unemployment schedule. Every person in the EMPSTAT "unemployed" category completed an unemployment schedule, regardless of whether or not they reported an occupation. Persons who did not report an occupation and did not fill out an unemployment schedule are in the EMPSTAT "not in labor force" category in 1930.
The 1940 census identifies persons employed on public emergency work projects (those generally associated with the New Deal).
For 1940 and 1950, EMPSTAT separates the unemployed into the categories of "new workers" and "experienced workers." (New workers have just entered the labor force for the first time and are seeking their first job.)
For 1940 and 1950, EMPSTAT identifies persons not in the labor force because they are house-workers/homemakers or persons permanently unable to work. The 1940 sample also identifies students not in the labor force.

The IPUMS, the census, and other employment data: Because employment data from the census, the ACS and the PRCS are obtained from respondents in households, they differ from statistics based on reports from private and public employers. Persons employed at more than one job are counted only once in the census, the ACS and the PRCS, according to the job at which they worked the greatest number of hours during the reference week. Data based on employer reports may count these persons more than once, and may exclude employees of private households, unpaid family workers, and self-employed persons. They may also include workers too young to be included in the census, the ACS and the PRCS.

Comparison between LABFORCE and EMPSTAT over time: LABFORCE and EMPSTAT share a common universe in the censuses of 1940-2000, in the ACS and the PRCS. As a result, the "not in labor force" categories in EMPSTAT and LABFORCE (code "3" in EMPSTAT, general codes, and code "1" in LABFORCE) are the same. LABFORCE places those respondents who are gainfully employed and those who are unemployed, but part of the labor force (i.e. looking for work), into one category (code "2"), while EMPSTAT divides them into employed (code "1") and unemployed (code "2"). The sum of EMPSTAT categories "1" and "2" will be the same as LABFORCE code "2."

In the 1910 and 1930 samples, EMPSTAT and LABFORCE have different universes, and therefore will have differing case counts for the related categories as a result. Users should take note of these universe discrepancies when using LABFORCE and EMPSTAT in 1910 and/or 1930. Note that for the 1910 Puerto Rican sample, LABFORCE is available, but EMPSTAT is not.

Availability

United States

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
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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: All samples
1920: --
1910: All samples
1900: --
1880: --
1870: --
1860: --
1850: --

Puerto Rico

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2015: All samples
2014: All samples
2013: All samples
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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: --
1970: --
1930: --
1920: --
1910: --

Questionnaire Text

2023 ACS	2011 ACS	1980 1%	1950 1%
2022 ACS	2006 ACS	1970 Form 2 Metro	1940 1%
2021 ACS	2000 1%	1970 Form 1 Metro	1930 1%
2016 ACS	1990 1%	1960 1%	1910 1%

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2023 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

29. a) LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job (or business)?

[ ] Yes --> SKIP to question 30
[ ] No - Did not work (or retired)

b) LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No --> SKIP to question 35a

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2022 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

29. a) LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job (or business)?

[ ] Yes --> SKIP to question 30
[ ] No - Did not work (or retired)

b) LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No --> SKIP to question 35a

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2021 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

29. a) LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job (or business)?

[ ] Yes --> SKIP to question 30
[ ] No - Did not work (or retired)

b) LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No --> SKIP to question 35a

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2016 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

29. a) LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job (or business)?

[ ] Yes --> SKIP to question 30
[ ] No - Did not work (or retired)

b) LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No --> SKIP to question 35a

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

29a-29b. Count as work - Mark the "Yes" box if this person performed:

Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payments "in kind" (for example, food or lodging received as payment for work performed).
Work in own business, professional practice, or farm.
Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not.
Any part-time work including babysitting, paper routes, etc.
Active duty in the Armed Forces.

Do not count as work - Mark the "No" box if this person performed:

Housework or yard work at home.
Unpaid volunteer work.
School work done as a student.
Work done as a resident or inmate of an institution facility (like a nursing facility or correctional facility).

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2011 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

29.

a) LAST WEEK, did this person work for pay at a job

[ ] Yes SKIP to question 30
[ ] No - Did not work (or retired)

b) LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for pay, even for as little as one hour?

[ ] Yes
[ ] No --> SKIP to question 35a

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

29a-29b.

Count as work - Mark the "Yes" box if this person performed:

Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payments "in kind" (for example, food or lodging received as payment for work performed).
Work in own business, professional practice, or farm.
Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not.
Any part-time work including babysitting, paper routes, etc.
Active duty in the Armed Forces.

Do not count as work - Mark the "No" box if this person performed:

Housework or yard work at home.
Unpaid volunteer work.
School work done as a student.
Work done as a resident of an institution.

42.If the person worked for a company, business, or government agency, print the name of the company, not the name of the person's supervisor. If the person worked for an individual or a business that had no company name, print the name of the individual this person worked for. If the person worked in his or her own un-named business, print "self-employed."

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2006 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

23. LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for either pay or profit?

Mark (X) the "Yes" box even if the person worked only 1 hour, or helped without pay in a family business or farm for 15 hours or more, or was on active duty in the Armed Forces

[ ] Yes
[ ] No -> SKIP to question 29

36. For whom did this person work?

If now on active duty in the armed forces, mark (X) this box -> [ ] and print the branch of the Armed Forces

Name of company, business, or other employer

____________________________________

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

23.Count as work - Mark the "Yes" box if this person performed:

Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payments "in kind" (for example, food or lodging received as payment for work performed).

Work in own business, professional practice, or farm.

Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not.

Any part-time work including babysitting, paper routes, etc.

Active duty in the Armed Forces.

Do not count as work - Mark the "No" box if this person performed:

Housework or yard work at home.

Unpaid volunteer work.

School work done as a student.

Work done as a resident of an institution.

36.If the person worked for a company, business, or government agency, print the name of the company, not the name of the person's supervisor. If the person worked for an individual or a business that had no company name, print the name of the individual worked for. If the person worked in his or her own un-named business, print "self-employed."

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2000 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

21. LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for either pay or profit? Mark [X] the ?Yes? box even if the person worked only 1 hour, or helped without pay in a family business or farm for 15 hours or more, or was on active duty in the Armed Forces.

[] Yes
[] No --> Skip to 25a

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1990 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

21a. Did this person work at any time LAST WEEK?

[] Yes - Fill this circle if this person worked full time or part time. (Count as part-time work such as delivering papers, or helping without pay in a family business or farm. Also count active duty in the Armed Forces.)
[] No - Fill this circle if this person did not work, or did only own housework, school work, or volunteer work. - Skip to 25.

Count as work - Mark Yes:

- Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payments in kind (for example, food, lodging received as payment for work performed).
- Work in own business, professional practice, or farm.
- Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not.
- Any part-time work including babysitting, paper routes, etc.
- Active duty in Armed Forces.

Do not count as work - Mark No:

- Housework or yard work at home.
- Unpaid volunteer work.
- School work.
- Work done as a resident of an institution.

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1980 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

22a. Did this person work at any time last week?

[] Yes - Fill this circle if this person worked full time or part time. (Count part-time work such as delivering papers, or helping without pay in a family business or farm. Also count active duty in the Army Forces.)
[] No - Fill this circle if this person did not work, or did only own housework, school work, or volunteer work. Skip to 25

"Mark Yes if the person worked, either full or part time, on any day of last week (Sunday through Saturday).

Count as work:

Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payments "in kind" (for example, food, lodging received as payment for work performed).
Work in own business, professional practice, or farm.
Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not.
Any part-time work including babysitting, paper routes, etc.
Active duty in Armed Forces.

Do not count as work:

Housework or yard work at home
Unpaid volunteer work.
Work done as a resident of an institution.

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1970 Form 2 Metro

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

[All]
29a. Did this person work at any time last week?

[] Yes - Fill this circle if this person did full- or part-time work. (Count part-time work such as a Saturday job, delivering papers, or helping without pay in a family business or farm; and active duty in the Armed Forces.
[] No - Fill this circle if this person did not work, or did only own housework, school work, or volunteer work. Skip to 30

"Mark Yes if he worked on any day Sunday through Saturday of last week.

Count as work
Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payment "in kind"
Work in own business, professional practice, or farm
Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not
Any part-time work
Active duty in the Armed Forces
Do not count as work
Housework or yard work at own home
Unpaid volunteer work.
Work done as an inmate of an institution."

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1970 Form 1 Metro

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

[All]
29a. Did this person work at any time last week?

[] Yes - Fill this circle if this person did full- or part-time work. (Count part-time work such as a Saturday job, delivering papers, or helping without pay in a family business or farm; and active duty in the Armed Forces.
[] No - Fill this circle if this person did not work, or did only own housework, school work, or volunteer work. Skip to 30

"Mark Yes if he worked on any day Sunday through Saturday of last week.

Count as work
Work for someone else for wages, salary, piece rate, commission, tips, or payment "in kind"
Work in own business, professional practice, or farm
Any work in a family business or farm, paid or not
Any part-time work
Active duty in the Armed Forces
Do not count as work
Housework or yard work at own home
Unpaid volunteer work.
Work done as an inmate of an institution."

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1960 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

P22. Did this person work at any time last week?
Include part-time work such as a Saturday job, delivering papers, or helping without pay in a family business or farm. Do not count own housework.

[] Yes
[] No

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1950 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

20.

If employed (Wk in Item 15, or Yes in Item 16 or Item 18), describe job or business held last week.
If looking for work (Yes in Item 17), describe last job or business.
For all other persons, leave blank.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

159. Item 20 consists of three parts: 20a. Occupation; 20b. Industry; and 20c. Class of worker.-There must be an entry in all three parts of this item for every person with an entry of "Wk" in item 15, or "Yes" in items 16, l7, or 18.

All three parts of the item (20a, 20b, and 20c) must refer to the same particular job or business.

160. The particular job to describe.-For each person for whom the item is asked, we want to know about one job or business, as follows:

a. If the person worked last week ("Wk" in item 15 or "Yes" in item 16), describe the job or business at which he worked; if he worked at- two or more jobs, describe the job at which he worked the greatest number of hours last week;

b. If the person was looking for work ("Yes" in item 17), describe the last job or business he had; if he has never had a job or business (for example, a boy looking for his first job), enter "Never worked" in item 20a and dashes in items 20b and 20c;

c. If the person had a job or business from which he was absent last week ("Yes" in item 18) describe that job or business. If the job is one he is waiting to start (see par. 154f) describe his new job rather than his old job.

161. The three answers must be consistent.-Since the three parts of item 20 refer to a single job or business, the three answers must fit together to form a consistent description. For example, "Barber, Retail jewelry store, P" is obviously wrong; correct entries might be "Barber, Barber shop, P" or "Jewelry salesman, Retail jewelry store, P." (See par. l79 for class-of-worker codes.)

162. How to report members of the armed forces.-For persons now in the armed forces, enter "Armed forces" in item 20a and dashes in items 20b and 20c. Make this same entry for persons reported as looking for work whose last job was as a member of the armed forces. The term "Armed forces" means persons on active duty with the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It does not include members of the Merchant Marine or civilian employees of the Departments of Defense, Army, Air Force, and Navy. (See pars. 252 and 253.)

163. How to report farm workers.-

a. The "farmer".- person responsible for the operation of a farm, either as an owner or tenant, should be reported as "Farmer" in occupation; "Sharecropper" is also an acceptable entry in occupation. His industry entry is "Farm." His class of worker is "O," regardless of whether he was an owner, tenant, or cropper.

Correct entries:
Farmer _____________Farm________O
Sharecropper ________Farm________O

b. The "farm hand".-A person who did general farm work for wages should be reported as "Farm hand" in occupation. His industry entry is "Farm." His class of worker is "P." (See par. g, below, on government farms.)

Correct entry: Farm hand___Farm___P

c. The "farm helper".- A relative of a farmer who did general farm work on the farm without pay should be reported as "Farm helper" in occupation. His industry entry is "Farm." His class of worker is "NP."

Correct entry: Farm helper__Farm___ NP

d. The "farm manager".- A person hired to manage a farm for someone else should be reported as "Farm manager" in occupation. His industry entry is "Farm." His class of worker is "P." (See par. g, below, on government farms.)

Correct entry: Farm manager__Farm__P

e. The "farm foreman".-A person hired to, supervise a group of farm hands should be reported as "Farm foreman" in occupation. His industry entry is "Farm." His class of worker is "P." (See par. g, below, on government farms.)

Correct entry: Farm foreman__Farm__P

f. Some farm workers, either paid or unpaid, do not do general farm work, but engage in only one type of work. The title of a particular farm job is a satisfactory entry for occupation. (See par. g below, on government farms.)

Examples:
Fruit picker_____Farm______P (or NP)
Cotton chopper__Farm______P (or NP)

g. Some farm hands, farm managers, and farm foremen work on government-operated farms. These farms may be part of a State agricultural experiment station, a county old folks' home, etc. Farm workers on the pay roll of such government-operated agencies or institutions should be reported in class of worker as "G."

Examples:
Farm hand__ State experimental farm _G
Fruit picker_County farm____________G

h. In the case of ranch workers, follow the same rules as you use for farm workers. In occupation, enter "Rancher" instead of "Farmer," "Ranch hand," instead of "Farm hand," etc. In industry, enter "Ranch" instead of "Farm." The class-of-worker codes, of course, remain the same. If you have any difficulty in deciding whether a place is a farm or a ranch, consider it to be a farm.

Examples:
Rancher__________Ranch__________O
Ranch helper______Ranch________NP

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1940 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

21. Was this person AT WORK for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Gov?t. work during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No).

22. If not, was he at work on, or assigned to, public EMERGENCY WORK (WPA, NYA, CCC, etc.) during week of March 24-30? (Yes or No). If neither at work nor assigned to public emergency work. ("No" in Cols. 21 and 22).

23. Was this person SEEKING WORK? (Yes or No).

24. If not seeking work, did he HAVE A JOB, business, etc.? (Yes or No).

25. Indicate whether engaged in home house-work (H), in school (S), unable to work (U), or other (Ot).

a)If he has previous work experience, enter last occupation, industry, and class of worker;

or
b) If he does not have previous work experience, enter "New worker" in Col. 28, and leave Cols. 29 and 30 blank.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

492. The labor force will be further subdivided on the basis of the information collected, as follows:

1. Persons at work during the week of March 24-30, 1940, in private work or nonemergency Federal, State, or local Government work-Government work other than WPA, NYA, CCC, local work relief, etc. ("Yes" in col. 21).

2. Persons at work on, or assigned to, public emergency project work-WPA, NYA, CCC, local work relief, etc. ("Yes" in col. 22).

3. Person who are seeking work, and are not in either of the classes above ("Yes" in col. 23).

4. Persons who have jobs, businesses, or professional enterprises from which they were temporarily absent during the week of March 24-30, 1940 ("Yes" in col. 24).

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1930 1%

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Employment:
Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day):

28. Yes or No.

29. If not, line number of Unemployment Schedule.

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225. Column 28. Whether actually at work yesterday ("Yes" or "No").-This question is to be asked with regard to all persons for whom an occupation has been entered in column 25. It will ordinarily refer to the day preceding the enumerator's call, and can be asked in the simple form "Was he at work yesterday?" In case "yesterday" was a holiday or the worker's "day off" or "rest day," the question should apply to his last regular working-day.

226. In certain occupations the employees have "rest days" in rotation. Some street car men, for example, begin their week's work on Tuesday and finish on Sunday, having a "rest day" on Monday. If you are enumerating such a man on Tuesday, you should find out whether or not he was at work Sunday, which would be his last regular working-day. Railway men may make runs on alternate days, working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for example, and "resting" on the intervening days. In every such case the question "Whether actually at work," must apply to the last regular working-day of the person enumerated.

227. Some men, such as longshoremen, coal miners, and laborers, have very irregular hours of work. In a case of this kind find out whether the man actually worked on the last working-day on which he might have been occupied. This will usually be literally "yesterday," unless "yesterday" was Sunday or a holiday.

228. Persons at work.-Write "Yes" if the person enumerated worked any part of the day to which the question applies. In the case of wage earners the question will offer no difficulty. In the case of men who run a business of their own it may not always be easy to determine whether the man is actually at work. In general, such men should be returned as "at work" if the business operates continuously under their orders, even though they may have been temporarily absent on the last regular working-day. The same return should be made for the professional or business man who is the active manager of an office, store, or factory, although he may be absent or not occupied with matters for which he receives pay on the day in question. For example, a man operating a cobbler's shop or an automobile repair and service station should be returned as at work on a given day if he spends any part of that day at the shop, even though he may not make any sales or do any work for which he receives payment. Similarly doctors, lawyers, dentists, and other professional men, and proprietors and managers of retail stores, who put in time at their place of business would be returned as "at work."

229. Farmers and farm laborers, including the members of the farmer's family who usually work on the farm, are to be considered at work if they are doing anything whatever in connection with the farm or with any farming activities or supplemental occupations.

230. Teachers in schools and college professors and instructors, if they hold positions, will be regarded as "at work," even though the enumeration date falls within the Easter or spring vacation. Highly skilled workmen, salesmen, foremen, superintendents, and managers whose pay is on a monthly or annual basis are to be returned as "at work" if they receive full pay and their working time is definitely engaged, even though they have days of partial or complete idleness now and then.

231. Persons who normally work only part time and who do not wish a full time job are to be returned as "at work," unless such part-time employment itself fails. For example, the waitress who works three hours daily during the lunch period is to be returned as at work if she was employed for this period "yesterday"; and the seamstress or laundress who regularly works one or more days a week, either at her own home or elsewhere, is to be returned as at work if she worked on her last regular working-day preceding the enumerator's visit.

232. Persons not at work.-Write "no" in case the person enumerated worked no part of the last regular working day. Men and women temporarily absent because of sickness, accidents, voluntary lay-offs, and all personal reasons are to be regarded as not at work, even though they continue to hold their positions.

233. Men locked out or on strike are "not at work," although in receipt of trade-union strike benefits or occupied in the conduct of the strike. Men who customarily work "by the job" are not at work if they have no job in process, even though actively seeking new contracts. Retail dealers are not at work if their last business has been permanently closed, although they may be planning a new enterprise. You will find, every now and then, a man who has been operating a small grocery or other retail store which has failed and who is, at the time of the enumeration, doing nothing at all which yields an income, but spending his time seeking new opportunities. Return such a man as not at work.

234. A woman reported as regularly pursuing some gainful occupation, in her own home or outside, in addition to doing her own housework, is to be returned as "not at work" if, for any reason, this gainful occupation fails, although she may continue to perform her household duties. Thus a woman who usually works as a laundress two days a week, in addition to her housework, is to be returned as "not at work" when the work as a laundress fails, even though she is quite fully occupied at home. Similarly the saleswoman in a store working daily in the rush hours, or on days of special sales, or on week-ends, is to be returned as not at work when this employment fails, although she may be busy at home duties.

235. Men who busy themselves with repair jobs, gardening, and home duties in the intervals of their regular occupation are to be returned as "not at work." Coal miners and longshoremen are to be returned as "not at work" if they are idle on the day to which the question applies, even though they get in as much time weekly as is usual at the mines or wharves where they are accustomed to labor. In general the list of those "not at work" should include all who did not labor at their gainful occupation on their last regular working day preceding the enumerator's visit.

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1910 1%

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21. Whether out of work on April 15, 1910.

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144. Column 18. Trade or profession.?An entry should be made in this column for every person enumerated. The occupation, if any, followed by a child, of any age, or by a woman is just as important, for census purposes, as the occupation followed by a man. Therefore if must never be taken for granted, without inquiry, that a woman, or child, has no occupation.

145. The entry in column 18 should be either (1) the occupation pursued?that is, the word or words which most accurately indicate the particular kind of work done by which the person enumerated earns money or a money equivalent, as physician, carpenter, dressmaker, night watchman, laborer, newsboy; or (2) own income; or (3) none (that is, no occupation).

146. The entry own income should be made in the case of all persons who follow no specific occupation but have an independent income upon which they are living.

Editing Procedure

EMPSTAT (Employment status)
ACS Years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
ACS editing procedure:
If a person is 15 or under (AGE), their employment status (EMPSTAT) will be replaced with "Not in universe."
Note The variable WRKLSTWK (worked last week) was changed from a one-part question in 2007 to a two-part question in 2008. The editing procedure standardizes the two-part question into a one-part question, so we simply refer to this variable as WRKLSTWK.
When industry is "Not in the labor force"
If a person reports being not in the labor force for their industry (IND), reports being on lay off (ABSENT), and reports either "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If a person reports being not in the labor force for their industry (IND), reports being on lay off (ABSENT), and reports "No, other reasons" for AVAILBLE, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person reports being not in the labor force for their industry (IND), reports being on lay off (ABSENT), and leaves AVAILBLE blank or "No, unspecified," EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person reports being not in the labor force for their industry (IND), reports either "No" or a blank value for ABSENT, reports "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four week (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced "Unemployed."
If a person reports being not in the labor force for their industry (IND), and none of the previous steps have applied, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
Working without pay
If a person did not work last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If a person did not work last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, and reports not looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person did not work last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports "No, other reasons" or blank for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), and when last worked is over 1 year ago (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), and when last worked is with that last 12 months (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), reports working without pay (CLASSWKR), reports less than $20,000 in self-employment income (INCBUS00), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute," and has a blank value for LOOKING, EMPSTAT will be allocated.
People who worked last week
If a person reports working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), and ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff," "No" or blank, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work." If ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation temporary illness, labor dispute" and place of work is in the United States, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, with a job, but not at work." If ABSENT is Yes, on vacation temporary illness, labor dispute" and place of work is outside the United States, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work."
People who did not work last week
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff," and AVAILBLE is "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed." If ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff," and AVAILBLE is "No other reasons," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff," and AVAILBLE is "No, unspecified" or missing," EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, labor dispute" and they do not report a place of work that is outside the U.S., EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, with a job but not at work." If they do report a place of work that is outside the U.S., EMPSTAT will be made "Employed, at work."
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, reports "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill" for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, reports "No, other reasons" or blank for AVAILBLE, and reports looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, and reports not looking for work in the past four weeks (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person reports not working in the past week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No", and reports not looking for work in the past four weeks or has a blank value (LOOKING), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person did not work last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT and LOOKING are both blank, and when last worked is over 1 year ago (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person did not work last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT and LOOKING are both blank, and when last worked is blank or within the last year (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be allocated.
People who have a blank value for if they worked last week
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff" and AVAILBLE is "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed." If ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff" and AVAILBLE is "No, other reasons," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force." If ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff" and AVAILBLE is missing or "No, unspecified," EMPSTAT will be allocated. If ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, labor dispute" EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, with a job but not at work."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is "Yes," and AVAILBLE is "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill", EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is "Yes," and AVAILBLE is "No, other reasons" or blank, and when last worked is over 1 year ago (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is "Yes," AVAILBLE is "No, other reasons" or blank, and they report working in the last 12 months (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is "No" and when last worked is over 1 year ago (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in labor force."
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is "No" and when last worked within the past 12 months or blank (WORKEDYR), EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person has a blank value for if they worked last week (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "No" or blank, LOOKING is blank, EMPSTAT will be allocated.
Armed forces
For 2003 to 2009: If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," and they report working last week (WRKLSTWK), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Armed forces."
Beginning in 2010: : If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," and they report working last week (WRKLSTWK), and VETSTAT is "Yes, now on active duty" or "Yes, unspecified", EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Armed forces." For all other values of VETSTAT, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work."
If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," they report not working last week or have a blank value (WRKLSTWK), and ABSENT is "Yes, on vacation temporary illness, labor dispute," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Armed forces, with a job but not at work."
If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," they report not working last week or have a blank value (WRKLSTWK), ABSENT is "Yes, on layoff," "No," or blank, they report working within the last 12 months or blank (WORKEDYR), and their place of work is outside the U.S., EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Armed forces, at work."
If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," they report not working last week or have a blank value (WRKLSTWK), and none of the above situations applied, EMPSTAT will be allocated.
If a person reports their industry (IND) as "Army", "Air Force", "Navy", "Marines", "Coast Guard", "Armed Forces, Branch not specified", or "Military Reserves or National Guard," they report not working last week (WRKLSTWK) and have a blank value for EMPSTAT (so the above conditions didn't apply), LOOKING is "No", AGE is between 16 and 24, VETSTAT is "Yes, now on active duty" and they do not report being temporarily absent from work, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Armed forces, at work."
If EMPSTAT is "Armed forces, at work" or "Armed forces, with a job but not at work" and AGE is over 62, IND will be replaced with "National security and international affairs" and EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work" or "Employed, with a job but not at work." If EMPSTAT is "Armed forces, at work", AGE is 16, and IND is a branch of the armed forces (or if industry is missing, beginning in 2012), EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work" and industry will be replaced with "National security and international affairs." Starting in 2015, industry will be replaced with a missing value.
If EMPSTAT is "Armed forces, at work" or "Armed forces, with a job but not at work" and AGE is between 35 and 62 and VETSTAT indicates they are not currently on active duty, IND will be replaced with "National security and international affairs" and EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Employed, at work" or "Employed, with a job but not at work."
Other fixes
If EMPSTAT is "Employed, with a job but not at work," the person reports last working over 5 years ago (WORKEDYR), LOOKING is "Yes" and AVAILBLE is "Yes, could have gone to work" or "No, temporarily ill," EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Unemployed."
If EMPSTAT is "Employed, with a job but not at work," the person reports last working over 5 years ago (WORKEDYR), LOOKING is "No" or missing or AVAILBLE is "No" or missing, EMPSTAT will be replaced with "Not in the labor force."
Allocation of employment status
When employment status is allocated, it is drawn from someone with a similar value for RACE, HISPAN, SEX, AGE, SCHOOL or EDUC, presence of children, and RELATE. The value drawn may be more likely to come from someone from their geographical area or metropolitan status. Among those who report not working last week (WRKLSTWK), who do not have a place of work that is outside the U.S., and ABSENT is not "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, or labor dispute", the allocated value is drawn from someone whose EMPSTAT is "Employed, with a job but not at work," "Unemployed," or "Not in labor force." The flag variable (QEMPSTAT) will indicate the value was allocated.
Internal ACS variable : ESR

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