American "workers"

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Tuesday, July 2. 2024

I read this interesting, detailed, and happy review of the condition of the American "worker," but it never quite defines the term.

I infer that the term excludes managers, supervisors, and employers but I'm not sure. Is a pro baseball player a "worker"? I tried to look at some pieces on government statistics but it was confusing.

Posted by Bird Dog at 14:59 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

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Bird Dog: I infer that the term excludes managers, supervisors, and employers but I'm not sure.

The article uses the term worker in different ways. Sometimes, they refer to everyone in the civilian labor force. Other times, they specify only those in non-supervisory positions. However, they are mostly concerned with the median worker, who is typically working for wage.

#1 Zachriel on 2024-07-02 15:43 (Reply)

So who is a "worker"? Anybody with a wage? Is the President a worker because he or she gets a wage?

I work for myself, so I am not a worker? I don't get it.

#1.1 Bird Dog on 2024-07-02 16:03 (Reply)

Bird Dog: So who is a "worker"? Anybody with a wage? Is the President a worker because he or she gets a wage?

When referring to the civilian labor force, that includes you, the President, pro sports players, those on the assembly line or at the burger joint, but excludes those in the military. They're all civilian workers. At other points in the analysis, they only consider non-supervisory jobs or just production workers or exclude farm workers. Basically, they use a "prism" to look at various aspects of the civilian labor force, with a particular interest in the median worker, who is typically working for wage.

#1.2 Zachriel on 2024-07-02 16:26 (Reply)

Still confused. I do not get a wage or any benefits. So what am I?

#1.2.1 Bird Dog on 2024-07-02 16:31 (Reply)

Bird Dog: Still confused.

Sorry 'bout that.

If you file taxes and show income (as a sole proprietor perhaps), you would be counted as participating in the civilian labor force. If you don't file taxes, you may be missed in the numbers. Most workers will be captured in the statistics, but those working under the table or with a small side hustle that doesn't show much income may not.

There are other methods of estimating the impact of these workers, but they are not included in the primary statistics. A lot of people have gig income that is not reported, but most have other jobs and the amounts are typically small.

#1.2.2 Zachriel on 2024-07-02 16:48 (Reply)

Correction: While some statisticians use tax returns, the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses a very large survey. So, you would presumably be included if you said you were working.

#1.2.2.1 Zachriel on 2024-07-02 16:57 (Reply)

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Tuesday, July 2. 2024

American "workers"