DISCOURAGED WORKERS: People who are willing and able to engage in productive activities, but due to their overwhelming lack of success have stopped seeking employment. Discouraged workers believe that any effort to find a job will be fruitless. Discouraged workers fall within the broader category of marginally-attached workers, people who are willing and able to work, who have either held a job or searched for employment within the last year, but are not actively seeking employment. People are marginally attached to the labor force for a variety of reasons, discouraged workers achieve their designation because they believe search efforts would not be worthwhile. See also | labor | labor market | unemployment | unemployment rate | alternative unemployment rates | marginally-attached workers | labor force |
