Unemployment is an important economic indicator that occurs when individuals available for work seek employment but are unable to find jobs. High unemployment rates signal economic distress, while low unemployment rates indicate a healthy economy. There are three primary types of unemployment: frictional, structural, and cyclical.
Governments use a variety of methods to track unemployment, including surveys, census counts, and unemployment insurance claims. Most national statistical agencies use the definition of unemployment set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which allows for international comparisons. These agencies also publish monthly summary statistics on the employment situation.
BLS collects more than just the number of people without a job; it also gathers information on their industry and occupation, how long they have been out of work, and how they are seeking new jobs. This information is used to calculate the unemployment rate, which is a percentage of the civilian labor force. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also releases a separate series on state and local-area unemployment, with more detailed information for each area—such as the size and industry of the jobless population and details about their search efforts.
To determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits, the state will examine your earnings history, called a base period. In the US, this includes wages earned in the first four of the last five calendar quarters prior to your filing for benefits. If your claim is approved, you will receive a Monetary Determination, which tells you how much money you can expect to receive each week. If your claim is denied, or you believe the state has omitted some of your earnings or work history, you can file a Request for Reconsideration with the NYSDOL.
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