Final answer:
When an unemployed worker becomes employed, the opportunity cost is what they have to give up, such as leisure or education time. Also, the economic costs to society of unemployment are considerable, as it represents lost potential economic output that could have been produced by unemployed workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of opportunity cost is relevant to the situation of an unemployed worker who becomes employed. When an unemployed person starts a job, the opportunity cost to them is measured by what they have to give up in order to start working. When unemployed, especially during a recession, an individual might use their time for non-wage-earning activities, such as education or personal development. By becoming employed, the worker forgoes the leisure time or the alternative use of that time they had while they were unemployed.
Additionally, considering the economic costs to society of unemployment can provide context. An economy witnesses high opportunity costs with unemployment, as this means that willing and able workers who are jobless could have been producing goods and services contributing to the economy. Therefore, this output is the opportunity cost of their unemployment. When they become employed, the economy gains their contribution, but they personally lose the ability to allocate that time to other pursuits.