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Work interruptions
Status
Work interruptions was approved as a departmental standard on July 15, 1998.
Definition
Work interruptions (see also Absences from work)
Work Interruptions is applied to a person who worked at a job or business during some preceding time period (commonly used reference periods are the last 12 months, the previous calendar year and the past five years) and who lost or left that job or business and did not work for pay or profit for some minimum length of time, usually specified in consecutive weeks or months (or even years). A work interruption comprises spells of unemployment and time not in the labour force (in all cases, Labour Force Survey definitions should be used to determine the respondent's labour force status). If a person leaves or loses one job but starts another with a minimal time (e.g., one week) intervening, the interruption may be ignored. For purposes of standardization it is recommended that two reference periods be used: the last calendar year and the last five years. Work interruptions must be of one week or more in duration. The start and end dates need to be determined for each interruption.
Variables
Work Interruptions
Work interruption in the reference period refers to a person who worked at a job or business but then lost or left the job or business for some specified period of time during the reference period and who had no expectation of returning to that job or business.
Classification(s)
Main reason for work interruptions
Main reason for work interruptions refers to a person who worked at a job or business at some time during the reference period and the reason he or she ceased working for at least the minimum specified time before returning to work.
If multiple reasons for work interruption are collected (not recommended), a main reason should be stipulated and the variable name changed to Main reason for work interruption.
Classification(s)
Duration of work interruption
Duration of work interruption refers to the duration of a work interruption in the reference period for a person who worked at a job or business during the reference period and who ceased working at least once.
Classification(s)
Additional documentation
