Unemployment drops slightly in July

United States
August 7, 2011 1:15pm CST
The national unemployment rate for July dropped slightly, to 9.1%, according to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on August 5, 2011. Unemployment has remained fairly steady since April, hovering near 9%. Private sector employment increased more than expected in July, with 154,000 jobs created. Gains were made in a number of business sectors, including health care, retail trade, manufacturing, mining and professional and technical services. Unfortunately, job losses in government employment continue to drag down the economy. After factoring in government job losses, the total net gain in employment was 117,000 jobs in July. The number of long-term unemployed, those out of work for 27 weeks or more, held relatively steady at 6.2 million workers. Long-term unemployment accounts for approximately 44% of the unemployed. http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=13307 I do not know anyone who has been out of work has seen any improvement or hope in getting employed. Do you know anyone personally who was in this 154,000?? If so in what type of job did they get?
1 person likes this
9 responses
• United States
8 Aug 11
The thing is that there are jobs out there, but they're the ones that Americans are embarrassed about working for, like fast food, and all the jobs the illegal immigrants have, the ones where you harvest food and work outside in the hot sun all day.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157665)
• United States
8 Aug 11
To some degree this is a myth. I know plenty of people who will and do work in the hot sun, doing harvest, and they are not illegal immigrants. McDonald's is even getting picky in its employment standards. Lots of restaurants say they are hiring, they have jobs in the state job bank, but you go in and apply and they are just making a list of names in case something comes up. A lot of places want younger workers that they can pay a lower wage to, or that might be on their parent's insurance.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
8 Aug 11
The Gov. is messing with the numbers to the point that no one has a clue what the truth is anymore...not even they do. Just like the 2~3% rise in inflation. Do they really think we are all idiots? Gas prices alone would put it over that. Compare the size of the package of anything you buy today to the same package you bought 6 months ago. How many OZs less does the new package contain~Does it cost the same or more? Even if it costs the same, this is inflation at work. When the figure in inflation, they do not add the price of homes...cute...they fluctuate too much...duhhh. They don't add in the price of fuel either. No wonder inflation is so low...idiots. Of course, politicians and bureaucrats do not know how to tell the truth. There must be some school somewhere where they learn how to lie and when to lie they do it so well.
• United States
8 Aug 11
I totally agree. Great response!
• United States
8 Aug 11
"There must be some school somewhere where they learn to lie and when to lie they do it so well" All Universities are funded and therefor run by the government. Even the the ivy league schools are subject to influence.
@GardenGerty (157665)
• United States
7 Aug 11
Nope, I do not know anyone who got a job this month. Hubby and I are both unemployed. I have had two interviews in the last two weeks, but at my age, and the length I have been out of work, I am beginning to believe I must just write like crazy online and give up on anything that might have benefits. I guess I could apply for seasonal at Wal Mart.
• United States
8 Aug 11
I think once your benefits run out Wal Mart may be the only way to go unless our government gets off their butts and does something about the problem.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
7 Aug 11
I'd be interested to know how many millions of people aren't included in those statistics because they've given up looking for jobs. I know quite a few people like that.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157665)
• United States
7 Aug 11
Add to that the people whose benefits have run out. Mine are running out very soon.
• United States
8 Aug 11
I do not know anyone personally who is any better off than they were when employment was at its worst. I notices the local paper only had 4 jobs listed under the "General" section (only one was a production type). Transportation looked to be doing better as alot of trucking companies seem ready to hire, but I don't think most companies are interested in bringing more people aboard when the economy is still "iffy". Unfortuantely more government cuts mean private businesses are really going to have to step up hiring or the figures will climb right back to where they were last year.
@madden12 (81)
• United States
7 Aug 11
A lot of that is simply because there are so many people who are out of work that have given up. Its unfortunate that the only way the unemployment goes down is because of people simply giving up. Good luck to anyone trying to find a full-time job in the near future. Why would a business pay for a full-time worker when they seemingly don't have to anymore.
• United States
8 Aug 11
I think Obamacare has a great deal to do with businesses not hiring full time employees.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
8 Aug 11
No I havent my daughter gave up in finding anything after being 3 years out odf work. So she went to saling Avon for the last 2 year taking her al this time to see a little profit with out taking from hubbies check to cover what was owed to Avon. SHe is just now getting regular orders from her people and addinga few more customers
@celticeagle (159474)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Aug 11
6.2 million long term unemployed people in this country. That's alot. And I knew no one in the 154,000. My granddaughter worked for afew weeks but that was for a non-profit supposedly helping her get a job. I am certainly glad I am retired but even that is scarey now days with the government shut down.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
For me really so sad to said but yes it is happened because the Armageddon near to come.