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Beeline's Analysis of the October/November 2025 BLS Job Data

On December 16, 2025, Beeline, a premier technology provider focused on managing the extended workforce, released a comprehensive analysis of the recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Situation report for October and November 2025. This report highlights a significant shift in the labor market, particularly in the landscape of non-payroll workers such as contractors, independent professionals, and consultants.

The BLS report indicated a decrease of 105,000 in nonfarm payroll employment for October, followed by a modest gain of 64,000 in November. Additionally, the unemployment rate reached a four-year high of 4.6% in November. While these figures provide a glimpse into traditional job markets, they fall short of capturing the essential dynamics of the extended workforce, which now makes up approximately 40% of the total U.S. workforce.

Extended Workforce Overview

The extended workforce encompasses a variety of roles that traditional BLS reports do not account for, including contractors, independent professionals, statement-of-work (SOW) consultants, and project-based talents, all of whom play a vital role in various sectors. Beeline utilized data from their platform, covering the period between October 1 and November 30, 2025, to shed light on the ongoing activity in this segment. Their findings revealed a notable uptick in the engagement of flexible and independent talent.

Key Findings:

• - Growth in Hours Billed: There was a 3.5% increase in hours billed by extended workforce talent in October compared to the previous year, which saw a further increase of 5.1% in November.
• - Rising Demand for External Labor: About 60% of Beeline clients reported an increase in their usage of external labor, underscoring a growing trend in workforce management.
• - Positive Assignment Activity: The statistics showed a forward momentum in assignment activity, with assignment starts rising by 4.9% while assignment ends saw a mere decline of 0.5%.
• - Global Engagement: This growth is not just confined to the U.S.; assignment activity has risen in 45 countries, with the U.S. leading the charge.
• - Spending on Flexible Talent: Companies increased their spending on flexible talent by 6.2% year over year, suggesting a reassessment of workforce budgets toward external strategies.

The Rise of Independent Work

The findings align with the insights presented in MBO Partners' 2025 State of Independence report, which noted that approximately 72.9 million Americans engage in independent work. There has been a significant increase in full-time independent workers, with figures nearly doubling from about 13.6 million in 2020 to approximately 27.6 million today. This group contributes over $1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, highlighting their economic significance.

Doug Leeby, CEO of Beeline, emphasized that the traditional labor report fails to capture a critical segment of the workforce, stating, "The reality is that work is not slowing; it is shifting. Companies are investing in flexible, high-skilled talent to maintain competitiveness. Millions of Americans are opting for independent work as their primary career path. To truly understand the state of our labor economy, it is vital to consider the extended workforce. Doing so will allow organizations, policymakers, and analysts to align strategies with the evolving labor market."

Conclusion

Beeline stands at the forefront as the largest independent extended workforce platform globally, seeking to illuminate the multifaceted nature of today’s labor market. As traditional employment figures reflect fluctuations, the extended workforce’s resilience and growth signal a significant and undeniable trend within the economy. Their insights urge the necessity for awareness and adaptability among companies navigating this shifting landscape. To learn more about Beeline and their extensive solutions tailored for managing the complexities of the extended workforce, visit beeline.com.