How We Can Interpret New Unemployment Numbers

No one debates that the last recession changed a lot of lives. One of the biggest changes had to do with the status of employment. The lucky ones were able to hold on to their jobs by agreeing to wage and salary freezes, accepting diminished benefits in terms of pensions and insurance, or choosing to keep working for a reduced hourly rate or salary. Everyone else lost jobs and found that replacing them was not going to be easy. The latest unemployment numbers do indicate that things are looking up, at least in certain areas of the country and in some industries.

By looking at national unemployment numbers, it's easy to feel optimistic. In terms of the percentage of unemployment, things have not been this good in a long time. In fact, the figures for the final month of 2011 are the lowest since the early months of 2009. While they have a way to go before US workers see unemployment drop to the pre-recession levels of 2006 and early 2007, we certainly seem to be headed in the right direction.

As positive as the trend appears, there are still areas of the country attempting to recover from the economic effects of the last few years. Cities and towns that depended on manufacturing and related industries are working hard to provide tax and other incentives as a way to bring new employers to their communities. States that saw unemployment rates below the national average for the first couple of years after the recession began are now lagging behind states that more closely followed national trends. In short, there are still plenty of people that are unemployed and looking for anything that will allow them to work and get back on their feet.

Taking solace in the trend of lower unemployment across the nation is not a crime. In fact, we need to celebrate those figures and perceive them as a sign that we can and will continue moving past the chaos of the last few years. At the same time, we have to remember those national figures are cumulative, and for every community that is back on its financial feet, there are two or three more that are still struggling.

There are ways we all can help. Every citizen can support municipal initiatives that are aimed at bringing new jobs to town. People who have been displaced can continue seeking ways to train for new jobs and careers, possibly even focusing on work that supports the function of companies that are still up and running. This means that if someone once worked in the accounting office of a manufacturing firm, taking some classes and making the rounds of outsourcing companies that provide payroll services to customers is worth the time and effort. Plant workers who learn how to work in retail may also aid help local jurisdictions bring in larger retailers, pointing to the ample supply of employees who need little to no training.

Above all, we should use those new unemployment figures to maintain a balanced view of what is happening. By recognizing the progress that is being made while also realizing we have a long way to go, the chances of eventually achieving a full recovery in our households, our communities, and in the nation as a whole are increased significantly. Keep watching those figures and urging your local, state, and national representatives to not let up until all of us are back at work and earning a decent living.

This guest post was written by independent journalist Patrica H. Hugley who frequently blogs about accounting and corporate payroll services