Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Employed person

Release date: November 17, 2021

Definition

Employed person refers to those who, during the reference period, had a labour force status of 'employed.' That is, those who, during the reference period:

(a) Did any work at all at a job or business, that is, paid work in the context of an employer‑employee relationship, or self‑employment. This also includes persons who did unpaid family work, which is defined as unpaid work contributing directly to the operation of a farm, business or professional practice owned and operated by a related member of the same household; or

(b) Had a job but were not at work due to factors such as their own illness or disability, personal or family responsibilities, vacation or a labour dispute. This category excludes persons not at work because they were on layoff or between casual jobs, and those who did not then have a job (even if they had a job to start at a future date).

Statistical unit(s)

Classification(s)

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011Footnote 1 (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to the Labour force status row in Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households.

Question number(s)

Derived variable: Questions 38 and 39

Responses

Not applicable

Remarks

The reference period is from Sunday, May 2 to Saturday, May 8, 2021.

Note(s)

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