Question

which of the following individuals is considered officially unemployed?
a) chris, who has not worked for more than three years and has given up looking for work
b) kim, who is going to school full-time and is waiting until graduation before looking for a job
c) pat, who recently left a job to look for a different job in another town
d) leslie, who retired after turning 65 only five months ago
e) lee, who is working 20 hours per week and is seeking full-time employment

Explanation:

To be officially unemployed, a person must be without a job, actively seeking work, and available to work.

• Chris (A) has given up looking, so they are a discouraged worker, not unemployed.
• Kim (B) is not actively seeking work while in school full-time.
• Pat (C) is without a job and actively seeking a new one, meeting all criteria for official unemployment.
• Leslie (D) is retired and not seeking work.
• Lee (E) is already employed (part-time), so not unemployed.

Answer:

C. Pat, who recently left a job to look for a different job in another town