Discussion: View Thread

All, 

So, I am going to assume that almost everyone is aware that last Friday, the BLS commissioner was fired with the accusation that the numbers were rigged. I have zero comments on how and why she was fired, and if people want to discuss that, do that off the listerv, please. No matter the politics of this occurrence, we have to deal with the impacts.

This will have an impact on us as VEs. VEs routinely use BLS data in hearings, forensic cases and testimony, and OEWS is likely the primary source of job numbers. While the specific data released last Friday was not OEWS or ORS, there will be questions regarding the validity of all BLS data in the future. Below is a link to a blog. Read the first comment. I have heard similar statements coming out of the rep community today as well. 

socsecnews.blogspot.com/2025/08/bls-and-ssa.html?m=1

We will be asked questions about this now. Some of them will be leading, loaded and political. We will need to be able to answer questions about how BLS data is collected and why we believe it is valid and reliable. It will extend to all BLS data most likely. BLS has always had the gold seal of validity, but given the current events, that will be challenged. Some initial pointers on this topic are below.

1) Leave politics out of your answer. Do not go there. 

2) Understand whatever methodology you are using and be able to articulate it clearly. Please do not say I use software and it tells me this. 

3) Understand how the data you are using is collected

4) You can support your testimony with education and experience. 

5) You can also look at the US Census data and make some comparisons. Different methodology and agency. All government data will likely now be questioned at some level, but comparing two distinct data products/sets is helpful. 

Below is a link to an NBC article; ignore the political parts and read the section on why there were revisions. It's a really decent layman's terms explanation about how the data collection occurs and why revisions are standard. Also, there is a handy link in there about response rates. 

www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/...

Great stuff! In cross I would respond that BLS data is clearly gold standard data as BLS itself states on it's website and that it relied upon by all state employment agencies, the Fed, financial institutions, economists, etc. Additionally, it is certainly not at all "political" to respond by saying you are not aware of any published evidence of any alleged "rigging" of data and that without evidence such seems hearsay. If attorney can produce such evidence you would be happy to have a look.

It could also perhaps be overblown. Shock and move on tactic. With financial markets/media rejecting it entirely and approval ratings for the administration economic policies tanking to mid 30s% would any of us be surprised if we never heard the unfounded allegation again?

All, 

So, I am going to assume that almost everyone is aware that last Friday, the BLS commissioner was fired with the accusation that the numbers were rigged. I have zero comments on how and why she was fired, and if people want to discuss that, do that off the listerv, please. No matter the politics of this occurrence, we have to deal with the impacts.

This will have an impact on us as VEs. VEs routinely use BLS data in hearings, forensic cases and testimony, and OEWS is likely the primary source of job numbers. While the specific data released last Friday was not OEWS or ORS, there will be questions regarding the validity of all BLS data in the future. Below is a link to a blog. Read the first comment. I have heard similar statements coming out of the rep community today as well. 

socsecnews.blogspot.com/2025/08/bls-and-ssa.html?m=1

We will be asked questions about this now. Some of them will be leading, loaded and political. We will need to be able to answer questions about how BLS data is collected and why we believe it is valid and reliable. It will extend to all BLS data most likely. BLS has always had the gold seal of validity, but given the current events, that will be challenged. Some initial pointers on this topic are below.

1) Leave politics out of your answer. Do not go there. 

2) Understand whatever methodology you are using and be able to articulate it clearly. Please do not say I use software and it tells me this. 

3) Understand how the data you are using is collected

4) You can support your testimony with education and experience. 

5) You can also look at the US Census data and make some comparisons. Different methodology and agency. All government data will likely now be questioned at some level, but comparing two distinct data products/sets is helpful. 

Below is a link to an NBC article; ignore the political parts and read the section on why there were revisions. It's a really decent layman's terms explanation about how the data collection occurs and why revisions are standard. Also, there is a handy link in there about response rates. 

www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/...

All, 

So, I am going to assume that almost everyone is aware that last Friday, the BLS commissioner was fired with the accusation that the numbers were rigged. I have zero comments on how and why she was fired, and if people want to discuss that, do that off the listerv, please. No matter the politics of this occurrence, we have to deal with the impacts.

This will have an impact on us as VEs. VEs routinely use BLS data in hearings, forensic cases and testimony, and OEWS is likely the primary source of job numbers. While the specific data released last Friday was not OEWS or ORS, there will be questions regarding the validity of all BLS data in the future. Below is a link to a blog. Read the first comment. I have heard similar statements coming out of the rep community today as well. 

socsecnews.blogspot.com/2025/08/bls-and-ssa.html?m=1

We will be asked questions about this now. Some of them will be leading, loaded and political. We will need to be able to answer questions about how BLS data is collected and why we believe it is valid and reliable. It will extend to all BLS data most likely. BLS has always had the gold seal of validity, but given the current events, that will be challenged. Some initial pointers on this topic are below.

1) Leave politics out of your answer. Do not go there. 

2) Understand whatever methodology you are using and be able to articulate it clearly. Please do not say I use software and it tells me this. 

3) Understand how the data you are using is collected

4) You can support your testimony with education and experience. 

5) You can also look at the US Census data and make some comparisons. Different methodology and agency. All government data will likely now be questioned at some level, but comparing two distinct data products/sets is helpful. 

Below is a link to an NBC article; ignore the political parts and read the section on why there were revisions. It's a really decent layman's terms explanation about how the data collection occurs and why revisions are standard. Also, there is a handy link in there about response rates. 

www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/...