The Indicator from Planet Money Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report?
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Mar 7, 2025 The latest U.S. jobs report shows growth, but concerns loom over the integrity of government data. A former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner raises alarm about potential manipulation of job statistics due to administrative changes. The podcast dives into the rigorous methods used by statistical agencies to maintain data accuracy, illustrating the significance of objective measures. With resources dwindling, the risks to credibility in labor statistics are critical, sparking a vital conversation about trust in economic indicators.
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Trust in Jobs Report
- The jobs report relies on trust from both respondents and data users.
- People answering surveys trust their anonymity, while users trust the data's quality.
BLS Security Measures
- At the BLS, only authorized personnel could access data analysis rooms.
- Even janitors were restricted to protect data security.
Neutrality at BLS
- Erika Groshen, former BLS Commissioner, saw jobs numbers only when final.
- Reports used neutral language, prioritizing objective measurements over interpretations.