The ongoing federal government shutdown has disrupted the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) ability to deliver its monthly jobs report, a cornerstone of economic insight, informing decisions by policymakers, industry leaders, and employers and shaping market expectations about overall economic health.
Originally scheduled for release on Friday, October 3, 2025, the September report, was not published due to the shutdown. What’s more, development of the October report is in jeopardy, as the critical data collection period—typically the week including the 12th of the month—is currently underway without the necessary staffing.
While the Department of Labor (DOL) has recalled staff to produce the Consumer Price Index (CPI), it has not yet done so for the jobs report, raising questions about prioritization and the feasibility of restoring BLS operations in time to gather October’s data.
In the absence of the September BLS report, some consumers of this data have turned to alternative sources such as the ADP National Employment Report. According to ADP, private employers shed 32,000 jobs in September. However, the healthcare sector stood out as a bright spot, adding 33,000 positions and underscoring the resilience of demand for care amid broader employment declines across many industries.
