Labor Force Participation

Felix is going to school online while working forty hours a week as a waiter.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Felix has a full time job, so he qualifies as employed even though he is also a student.

Susie lost her job over a year ago. She keeps looking but has had no luck finding a job.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Susie wants a job but can't find one so she is unemployed. If she didn't want a job, she wouldn't be in the labor force.

Jessica is a full-time student who volunteers 20 hours a week at an animal shelter.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Being a full time student may feel like a job, but it doesn't count as employment because students don't earn income. Volunteering is a good thing to do, but without earning a wage, Jessica is not a part of the labor force.

Dr. Strange (a surgeon) was in a car accident that shattered his hand and made it impossible for him to perform surgery.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Dr. Strange is unable to do his job due to an injury, so he is unable to be included in the labor force.

Mark has been retired for the past 5 years. He is bored sitting at home and has decided to start looking for a part-time job.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Most retired people are not in the labor force, but Mark wants a part time job to keep him busy. Until he finds one, he will be considered unemployed.

Selina is getting paid $100 a week by a company to walk dogs.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

She may not be striking it rich, but Selina is getting paid a wage to perform a job by a company. This makes her employed by the company. If Selina was getting paid by her mom, she would not be considered employed unless her mom runs a dog-walking company.

Tricia was fired last week for showing up to work late for the fifth day in a row. She is now looking for a new job.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Poor Tricia shouldn't have hit snooze so many times. Since she lost her job and wants a new one but doesn't have it yet, she is unemployed.

Cindy is retired from her career as an accountant but still works 20 hours a week as a greeter at Walmart.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

It may not be a glorious job, but Cindy is earning money from Walmart as a greeter, so she has a job and is employed.

Marta stays at home and raises her 4 kids: Marty, Martina, Martha, and Martin.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Don't get it twisted, Marta is working HARD to take care of her kids, but since she isn't making an income through a job and isn't looking for one, she is not in the labor force.

Ethel no longer works as a teacher. She now lives in Florida enjoying her pension.

• Employed

• Unemployed

• Not in the Labor Force

Answer explanation

Ethel worked long enough to earn her retirement pension so she has an income, but does not have a job that pays her a wage anymore and isn't looking for one. Not in the labor force.