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Introduction to the Labour Force Survey

2 Dec 2026 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Online
Training
Data skills
Workshop

Are you new to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) or looking to learn more about working with the data?

Held the day before the Labour Force and Annual Population Surveys User Conference, this free online workshop will provide those new to using the LFS with the background and practical guidance needed to begin working, or work more confidently, with the data.

The workshop is designed for researchers, analysts and teachers inside and outside academia as well as students. It will combine short presentations, opportunities for to ask questions and live demonstrations in R. Some familiarity with survey data analysis will be helpful for following the demonstrations.

The workshop will introduce the design and methodology of the LFS, the strengths and limitations of the available datasets, documentation, variables and weights. Participants will also see examples of analysing employment, earnings and labour market flows.

By the end of the session, attendees will:

  • Understand the key aspects of the LFS design, data collection and methodological features.
  • Recognise the scope, strengths and limitations of the available datasets.
  • Be able to identify and access datasets and navigate the documentation on the UK Data Service website.
  • Understand the role of variables and weights in common analyses.
  • Be familiar with approaches to analysing employment status, earnings and labour-market flows.

Provisional programme:

14.00 Welcome, introduction and housekeeping

14.05 The Labour Force Survey: background and overview

Survey history and design, including questionnaire content, sampling, imputation, data collection and changes
Office for National Statistics

14.35 Break

14.40 Working with the LFS, part 1

Key considerations when using Labour Force Survey data, including dataset scope and limitations, weights, variables, and linking or pooling datasets
Office for National Statistics

15.10 Break

15.15 Working with the LFS, part 2

Finding and downloading LFS data, and navigating the documentation
Pierre Walthery, UK Data Service

15.35 Break

15.40 Working with the LFS, part 3: live demonstration

This session will consist of three live demonstrations in R:

    • estimating temporary employment (QLFS data)
    • estimating weekly earnings (QLFS data)
    • exploring labour market flows (2 quarter LLFS data)

Participants will be invited to download their own copy of the dataset in advance so that they can follow the examples.

16.25 Conclusion and closing comments

Presenters:

Dr Pierre Walthéry. Pierre is a Research Associate in the Training and User Support team of the UK Data Service. He has published research about gender, flexible working and working time and currently leads on data linkage training and Labour Force Survey events at the UK Data Service.

Level: Introductory/intermediate
Experience/knowledge required: None. Basic familiarity with R and descriptive statistics is required in order to follow the live demonstration.
Target audience: Final-year undergraduates and masters students, independent researchers and analysts