his annual survey of +1,000 people active in the U.S. workforce goes back to the late 1980s, so it is a useful lens with which to consider issues like labor force participation rates that have shifted unexpectedly over the period.

Most surprising news first: Americans express a broad satisfaction with their jobs, regardless of economic conditions. The very worst reading since 1989 was in 2011 when "Only" 83% of respondents said they were either "Somewhat" or "completely" satisfied with their jobs.  The peak was in 2007 at 94%, and last year (August 2014) it was 89%.

The key takeaway is that declining labor force participation rates since the year 2000 (67% then, 62.6% now) aren't because of any systemic disaffection with the American workplace. 

The other notable takeaway: workers are (strangely, we must say) satisfied with what they earn. Those expressing "Complete" satisfaction with their paystub hit a high last year (31%) not seen since 2010 and 2006…  Wage inflation?  What for?

You could call it the "Mystery of the Missing Worker" – why do so many people of working age chose not to enter the workforce?  Here are the numbers, as of the most recent Employment Situation report:

250 million: the total number of people of working age in the United States. 

149 million: the total number of people in that population that have a job.

8 million: the number of people who want a job but do not have one.

93 million: the number of people who don't work, and don't want work.