What really makes up those unemployment numbers?

By: Rusty Ray | SCNow
Published: April 17, 2009

With South Carolina's unemployment rate hitting a record-tying high in March, the science behind the numbers comes into question once again.

The U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics conducts weekly surveys, much like the Census process.

BY THE NUMBERS

South Carolina unemployment soars in March to 11.4%

Click here to view the complete report.

According to the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, the BLS determines who is counted as employed and unemployed.

Basically, if you are working, even one hour a week, you are counted as "employed."

Therefore, the "unemployed" figures do not include those Americans who receive government assistance of one kind or another, because, according to officials, those people are not seeking work.

"You have to be able and available (to work)," said Mary Nell Smith, who heads up the Conway office of the S.C. Employment Security Commission.

"You have to have a measure, nationally and statewide," she said. "I know you're always going to have people that disagree or agre with how it is, but you have to have some way to measure."