Sep. 16--As bleak as the state's unemployment numbers were in August -- at 9.2 percent, the jobless rate was the highest in more than a quarter-century -- they understate the actual level of dislocation among Washington's working people.

Based on newly available data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roughly 6.3 percent of Washington's working-age population are out of work but not counted in the official unemployment statistics, or are working part time involuntarily.

By that standard, Washington ranks 14th in the nation in "underemployment." Oregon and California, each with an underemployment rate of 8.4 percent (alongside even higher unemployment rates than Washington's), are tied for first.

Taken together, the two different statistics indicate the recession is affecting far more Washingtonians than the 319,130 who last month met the formal definition of "unemployed" -- out of work, available for work and actively looking for work.

The state-level underemployment figures from the BLS are calculated differently from the state Employment Security Department's monthly jobs report, so the two rates can't simply be added together.

Discouraged workers

Unlike the official unemployment rate, the underemployment rates count people who've become discouraged from looking for work and people who aren't actively looking for a job but would take one if offered.

The broadest measure of unemployment and underemployment in Washington -- which is now being calculated quarterly by the BLS -- rose from 11.9 percent in the first quarter of 2009 to 13.5 percent in the second quarter.

(The underemployment numbers are figured quarterly rather than monthly, and are based on a rolling average of the previous four quarters.)

The local layoff wave continued this week, as two more companies disclosed sizable dismissal plans to the Employment Security Department.

Seattle-based Adaptis, which processes health-insurance claims, said it was closing and letting all 138 employees go.

Big client lost

The layoff notice comes less than two weeks after Clear Choice Health Plans, a Bend, Ore.-based insurer and major Adaptis client, said it was ending its relationship with the outsourcing company.

In its notice, Adaptis said the layoffs started Sept. 4 but most would take place between November and May, as the 13-year-old company winds down operations.

Tuesday, Mountain View, Calif.-based SumTotal Systems told the state it would cut 59 employees from its Bellevue office.

The layoffs have begun, the learning-software company said, with most set to occur in November and December.