This study concludes that older workers do not have especially high unemployment rates, but when they become unemployed, they are less likely to find a job and more likely to leave the labor force in discouragement. (Author/SSH)

Introduces this special issue on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' new projections of the occupational, industrial, and demographic structure of the labor force, which present a detailed look at the U.S. economy in 2006. (JOW)

This article argues that in the upcoming decades, older workers will be competing against the largest cohort of middle-aged workers in our country's history. In the absence of other options, the elderly may feel increased pressure to retire or work part time. (Author/SSH)

The standard definition of unemployment results in a severe underestimation of Native Americans. Availability of local employment opportunities determines whether they actively look for work. Also, significant numbers choose to work intermittently. It is, therefore, difficult to measure Native American labor force participation. (JOW)

Examines how the numbers of workers with earnings at or below the federal minimum wage varies, depending on how the hourly earnings measure is computed. (Author)

Envisages possible enhancements in labor force data collection, analysis, and dissemination, with expansion of both household and establishment surveys and greater use of administrative data. (Author)

Discusses reasons for the differences in earnings between men and women: (1) differences in the labor market characteristics between men and women, (2) differences in the distribution of men and women among different jobs, and (3) discrimination in the labor market. (JOW)

Almost half the job gains in the 1970s took place in 20 of the 235 occupations and several job groups lost thousands of workers. The author looks at employment changes among the biggest occupational winners and losers of the 1970s. (JOW)

The author is a former United States Secretary of Labor who developed the Workforce 2000 project. He discusses the need for implementing this project's recommendations and reviews these recommendations. In addition, he expresses his frustration at the slow pace of change within the federal government. (CH)

Chronicles the history of the Division of Negro Economics in the Department of Labor. The purpose of the division, created in 1917, was to mobilize the Black work force and to work for the advancement of Black wage earners. The division ceased to exist in 1922, mostly because of neglect and disuse. (JOW)

This report attempts to clarify several retirement issues, focusing on (1) the extent to which labor force participation rates can be used to assess retirement decisions; (2) the impact on the elderly of the 1978 Amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and (3) the true causes of nonparticipation among current retirees. (SK)

Productivity growth and the educational requirements of future jobs are important issues for the remainder of the century. (Author)

The new direction in employee participation, workplace technology, and labor force characteristics may be reviving practices that failed to flourish in the past. Theoretical and historical perspectives provide a context for the effective use of high performance workplace practices. (JOW)

Deals with White, Black, and Hispanic married-couple families, highlighting their current work-income profiles and exploring some of the major differences. (JOW)

Black occupational status improved somewhat in the 1970s as proportionately more Blacks moved into white-collar jobs, although few penetrated the higher salaried professional and managerial positions. Black workers need to gain more access to the higher skilled, better paying jobs in the white-collar fields if their earnings are to increase. (JOW)