BLS Says Database Lockdown ‘Normal’ Ahead of August Jobs Report

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By Molly Smith and Augusta Saraiva

September 5, 2025 at 12:13 PM UTC

Updated on

September 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM UTC

The Bureau of Labor Statistics downplayed a lockdown of its online databases after warning of technical difficulties in the moments before the release of the closely watched August employment report.

“Locking the database prior to any release is a normal part of our release process,” BLS spokesperson Stacey Standish said in an emailed statement shortly before 8:30 a.m. Friday in Washington, adding that the report would be published as planned.