Labor Force Participation Rate Dips
Oklahoma City, OK (PRWEB) May 05, 2017 -- In an otherwise strong unemployment report, the labor force participation rate dropped by 0.1 percent in April, its first drop in six months.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the unemployment rate dropped from 4.5 percent to 4.4 percent, with 211,000 new jobs created last month.
“The labor force participation rate remains a key measure of how confident workers are that they can find a job. It’s disappointing that it dropped for the first time in six months, but the good news is the number is up from its low point in late 2015. To truly help workers, especially low-income, unskilled people, it needs to go higher,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals, and the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Labor Force Participation Rate:
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2014 62.9 62.9 63.1 62.8 62.8 62.8 62.9 62.9 62.8 62.9 62.9 62.7
2015 62.9 62.7 62.7 62.8 62.9 62.6 62.6 62.6 62.4 62.5 62.5 62.7
2016 62.7 62.9 63.0 62.8 62.6 62.7 62.8 62.8 62.9 62.8 62.6 62.7
2017 62.9 63.0 63.0 62.9
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics
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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Karami, corporate communications and PR director, at (405) 717-5966.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 770 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve and was also the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.05 billion in sales and employed a record 510,000 people in 2016. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
Sheena Karami, Express Employment Professionals, +1 (405) 717-5966, [email protected]
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