Oconee jobless rate steady at 3.8%

South Carolina businesses added 3,800 jobs during November, according to the Department of Employment and Workforce.  In Oconee County, however, 20 fewer members of the labor force were on the job.  Still, the county’s jobless rate showed no change from October to November, holding at 3.8%.  The latest count in the Oconee workforce comes to 33,776 people at work.  While non-farm payrolls grew, the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate inches up to 4% in November from October’s 3.9%.  Nationally, the jobless rate in November held steady at 4.1%.  If you are fortunate to be drawing a paycheck these days, chances are you will spend at least a portion of it shopping for Christmas.  One Walhalla restaurant worker was heard to say that she’s going to take her check today and head to Wal-Mart tomorrow.