Issues in Labor Statistics: Illness-related Work Absences during Flu Season, Summary 10-06

摘要

The Current Population Survey (CPS)--the monthly household survey that is best known for providing the Nation's unemployment rate--contains questions about the reason for a work absence. There are two reason categories listed as responses that are related to illnesses affecting either the workers themselves or the workers family members: own illness, injury, or medical appointment and other family or personal obligations. Not everyone who worked a reduced schedule for one of these reasons was absent from work because of a seasonal illness or sick family member. For example, those who reported that their absence resulted from other family or personal obligations could have missed work to do chores around the house or to go with a child on a school field trip. Nevertheless, observing changes in these measures over time may shed light on the effect of seasonal illnesses on the labor market.