If you are a manager or employee of a company, staying abreast of the economy is important as you make decisions. A few sites may be worth your time to poke around in, which may either heighten or alleviate your personal concern.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides Economy at a Glance, detailed monthly information by month of:

  • Unemployment Rate
  • Change in Payroll Employment
  • Average Hourly Earnings
  • Consumer Price Index
  • Producer Price Index
  • U.S. Import Price Index

They also provide quarterly data for:

  • Employment Cost Index
  • Productivity

The Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to breakdown the numbers by state and major metropolitan area. When I drilled down to my local area, the news was not as grave as I might have thought.

The numbers are sobering, for November 2008; their economic news release announces the continuing trend for mass layoffs for the fourth consecutive month. The hardest hit industry is manufacturing.

Another site packed with information is the U.S. Census Bureau, established in 1790 which is apart of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Their mission is to provide quality data about the nation’s people and the economy. They are gearing up for the 2010 Census and links on their site provide information to apply to the part-time flexible positions. The site provides tools for businesses and individuals to make more informed decisions on employment and growth areas.

Getting Information Timely

The Economics Indicators.gov site makes tracking all this data easier. Simply sign up by email to receive your monthly update. No excuses.