This variable is based on the annual question on current employment status, combined with additional information on activities of non-working individuals. Since the beginning of the SOEP in the year 1984, the number of values assigned has been based on a large number of highly differentiated answer categories. It is designed to provide consistent longitudinal data on labor force participation across all waves.

PGLFS provides a differentiation between “working” (Code 11-12) and “non-working” (Code 1-10), categories which are constant over all waves. Non-employment is subdivided further in order to make it possible to efficiently apply different labor market concepts in studying the data. To calculate this variable, the variables on employment status, age, maternity leave, second jobs, registration at the employment office, participation in paid work during the past 7 days and training status are used. Code (12) was added in 2000.

For respondents who have multiple status codes and different values for this variable, the following hierarchy was used to determine which of the values would play the determining role (increasing dominance):

            11 - working

             1 - non-working without further information

             2 - non-working, and older than 65

             3 - non-working, and currently in a training program

             6 - non-working, and registered unemployed

             4 - non-working, on maternity leave

             5 - non-working, in military/community service

             9 - non-working, but working past 7 days

           10 - non-working, but regular second job

             8 - non-working, but occasional second job

           12 - working, but non-working past 7 days

PGLFS supplements the variable PGEMPLST, which differentiates among persons who are employed.