The TRU, as defined by LISEP, measures the percentage of the U.S. labor force that is
functionally unemployed. Just as we do for the
national TRU, LISEP uses data compiled by the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to calculate the local figures. TRU tracks the percentage of the U.S. labor force seeking but unable to find a full-time job (35+ hours a week), is unemployed, or is employed in a position earning less than a living wage, conservatively pegged at $20,000 annually before taxes.