Labor Department wont release full October jobs report, a casualty of the 43-day federal shutdown

Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6:59 pm

Labor Department Delays Full October Jobs Report Due to Shutdown

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Labor Department announced Wednesday that it will not release the complete October jobs report due to the 43-day federal government shutdown. The shutdown prevented the department from calculating the unemployment rate and other crucial figures.

Instead, the department will release key October employment data, specifically the number of jobs created by employers last month, alongside the full November jobs report. The November report is now scheduled for release on December 16, a delay of a couple of weeks. The monthly employment situation report is typically released on the first Friday of each month.

The government shutdown significantly disrupted data collection and delayed the release of these reports. The September jobs report, originally slated for release on October 3, will now be released on Friday.

The monthly jobs report is comprised of two key components: a household survey used to determine the unemployment rate and an establishment survey of companies, nonprofits, and government agencies that tracks job creation, wages, and other labor market indicators.

The Labor Department confirmed that the household survey for October could not be conducted due to the shutdown and cannot be completed retroactively. However, the department was able to collect hiring data from employers, which will be included in the full November report.

The announcement means that the September jobs numbers will likely face increased scrutiny on Friday. These figures represent the last comprehensive measure of hiring and unemployment that Federal Reserve policymakers will review before their December 9-10 meeting, where they will decide whether to cut the benchmark interest rate for the third time this year.

The release of jobs data has recently been a point of contention. Following a disappointing July jobs report, President Donald Trump dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the official responsible for collecting the data. McEntarfer has since stated that the delay is a direct consequence of the shutdown and not the result of any conspiracy.

BNN's Perspective: The delay in releasing the full October jobs report underscores the significant impact of government shutdowns on critical economic data. While the release of some key employment figures is welcome, the absence of the unemployment rate and other crucial data points will undoubtedly create uncertainty and potentially complicate decision-making for policymakers and investors. It is essential that future shutdowns are avoided to ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of vital economic information.

Keywords: Labor Department, jobs report, October, unemployment rate, federal government shutdown, employment data, hiring, wages, September jobs report, Federal Reserve, economic data, data collection, Erika McEntarfer

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