Tracking Employment in the Dark: Beyond the Missing Jobs Report
SHRM’s job numbers analysis and insights go beyond the absent BLS jobs report.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – November marks the second month without the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report due to the government shutdown. With critical federal labor data still unavailable, business leaders, policymakers, and workers are navigating economic uncertainty without one of their most trusted indicators.
To fill that gap, SHRM has produced alternative labor market review, Tracking Employment in the Dark: Beyond the Missing Jobs Report, drawing on real-time data from sources such as ADP and Lightcast. The analysis reveals a labor market showing early signs of stabilization but marked by widening disparities across employer size and occupation.
Key Findings Include:
Private sector job growth returns – but unevenly.
The ADP National Employment Report shows an increase of 42,000 private-sector jobs in October after months of job loss. Though encouraging, this growth is not distributed evenly.
Large employers (250+ employees) added approximately 77,000 jobs.
Small businesses lost about 35,000 jobs – reflecting growing pressure on smaller firms.
A divided labor market by occupation.
Workforce gains and losses vary sharply by sector.
Job openings for healthcare practitioners and technical roles remain strong at 96% of their 2022 average.
Openings for computer and mathematical occupations have dropped dramatically to just 43.9% of 2022 levels.
With critical federal data offline, these insights offer a clear view of where the labor market is stabilizing – and where it is falling behind. SHRM’s analysis is designed to equip employers, HR progessionals, and decision-makers with actionable information to guide workforce planning and policy choices during ongoing uncertainty.
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org
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