Final answer:
The BLS counts someone as employed if they've done any paid work, worked in their own business, or worked unpaid in a family business for 15+ hours. They count someone as unemployed if they're without a job but actively seeking and available for work. Specific cases like homemakers, students in unpaid internships, and retirees are typically not considered unemployed unless actively seeking work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses specific criteria to count someone as employed. An individual is considered employed if they have done any work at all as a paid employee, worked in their own business or farm, or worked unpaid for 15 hours or more in a family business. Also, if a person is temporarily absent from their job due to illness, vacation, strikes, or other personal reasons, they are still counted as employed.
Regarding the criteria for unemployment, the BLS considers individuals to be unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work. Thus, assessing the provided scenarios:
- A husband willingly staying home with children while his wife works is not counted as unemployed since he is not actively looking for a job.
- A manufacturing worker whose factory just closed down is considered unemployed if actively seeking new employment.
- A college student doing an unpaid summer internship is not counted in the labor force if the internship is considered part of their education and they are not actively seeking paid work.
- A retiree is generally not counted in the labor force unless they are actively looking and available for work.