Jobs

BLS Took 20 Minutes to Realize the Public Couldn’t See Jobs Data

Agency wasn’t aware figures were only visible internally
Records request show frantic exchanges between BLS employees

The incident was the latest in a series of mishaps at the BLS, which has faced criticism from Wall Street firms over its handling and release of market-sensitive data. — The incident was the latest in a series of mishaps at the BLS, which has faced criticism from Wall Street firms over its handling and release of market-sensitive data.
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

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By Molly Smith and Jason Leopold

September 20, 2024 at 8:09 PM UTC

Updated on

September 20, 2024 at 10:33 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

It took 20 minutes for Bureau of Labor Statistics officials to realize that highly anticipated jobs revisions data was not visible to the public at the scheduled release time last month.

Records released to Bloomberg News under a Freedom of Information Act request showed how the agency was scrambling to identify the source of the problem on the Aug. 21 release date. It appeared BLS employees didn’t realize there was a delay until users “inundated” them with calls and messages, the records show. The data was supposed to be posted on the agency’s website at 10 a.m. in Washington.