The Employment Situation: September 2001 — 2001-10-05

Payroll employment fell by 199,000 in September, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Sharp job losses continued in manufacturing, and employment also fell in services, wholesale trade, and retail trade. The terrorist attacks of September 11 occurred during the reference periods for the Bureau's monthly establishment and household surveys. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the attacks caused many businesses to shut down for one or more days. In the establishment survey, however, persons paid for any part of the reference period are considered employed. Similarly, in the household survey, persons working during any part of the reference week, as well as those temporarily absent from their jobs, are considered employed. Thus, it is likely that the events of September 11 had little effect on the September employment and unemployment counts.