Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation News Release — 2011-12-02

Advance copies of this statement are made available to the press under lock-up conditions with the explicit understanding that the data are embargoed until 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The unemployment rate fell from 9.0 to 8.6 percent in November, and nonfarm payroll employment rose by 120,000. November�s gain in payroll jobs was in line with the average increase over the prior 12 months (+131,000). Over the month, employment continued to trend up in retail trade, professional and business services, health care, and leisure and hospitality. Retail employment increased by 50,000 in November, with both clothing and accessories stores and electronics and appliance stores adding jobs over the month. Since a recent low in December 2009, retail employment has increased by 319,000. Professional and business services employment continued to trend up in November (+33,000), with a modest gain in temporary help services. Health care employment also continued to expand in November (+17,000).