We know about all of those things and BLS publishes (or at least used to) reliable stats on them. The unemployment rate as reported is probably the best way to

We know about all of those things and BLS publishes (or at least used to) reliable stats on them. The unemployment rate as reported is probably the best way to report objectively on employment and the ebb and flow of layoffs and hiring. A more qualitative assessment requires more adjustments and interpretation.