E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSAndrea Mulhearn Brobst wants a full-time job.
Despite having a four-year degree in business, she’s only been able to find a low-paying part-time retail job since she was laid off “from a real job at the beginning of this economic mess,” she said.
And Kathi Nguyen has been relying on temporary jobs since she lost her full-time corporate position in 2007. “It's just an extremely frustrating situation,” she said. “I want full-time.”
Unfortunately, finding a coveted full-time gig has gotten harder since the Great Recession hit, and last week’s May unemployment data showed the problem is getting worse.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an uptick in the number of workers classified as “involuntary part time,” or those who’d rather be working a 40-hour plus week. The data shows the number of people working part time for economic reasons climbed above 8 million in May.
There are two types of employees that come under the involuntary part-time category: those who are working fewer hours because their present employer cut back hours due to business conditions, and those who just can’t find full-time jobs.
While the number of employees who saw their full-time work schedules cut by their existing employers stayed about even with last month, and declined 8.8 percent from last year; the number of workers who could only find part-time jobs rose about 12 percent to 2.6 million in May, and increased about the same percentage compared to the same month last year.
And since the recession began in 2008, the number of people who were part time because they couldn’t find a full-time position skyrocketed by 1.4 million individuals, or 117 percent, according to research by Heidi Shierholz, economist for the Economic Policy Institute.
“It’s probably more a story of job opportunities,” she said. “Desperate workers have to settle with what they can find.”
Companies are just not willing to take on many more workers in this economy, even though employers are starting to see signs of economic life.
“Employers are reluctant to add full-time, permanent employees and they’re looking for innovative ways to respond to business,” said Craig Rowley, vice president of human resource consulting company Hay Group.
The big question, he said, is how do they respond to an uptick in sales without adding fixed expenses such as permanent workers? “They look at temp workers and employing more part time employees,” he said.
While Rowley said companies will add more full-time workers as the economy continues to improve, the employment world is shifting to a more just-in-time model. “They are looking for a more flexible workforce,” he said, especially in retail and healthcare.
That flexibility, however, isn’t good news for workers who want full-time, permanent jobs.
“The constant fluctuation in hours from week to week means that workers face ongoing uncertainty about their earnings,” stated Nancy Kauthen, a sociologist and policy consultant in a 2011 report titled: “Scheduling Hourly Workers: How last minute, just-in-time scheduling practices are bad for workers, families and business.” “The financial instability alone can create tremendous stress for low- to moderate-income families who never know whether their wages will cover the monthly bills.”
What’s your take? Are you working part time but would rather have a full-time gig?
Leave a Comment:
Oh. And we're isolationist until it's time to hold china to human rights pledges. As long as we're attacking some poor podunc sand pit with the gdp of alabama, we're going it alone, but when it comes to lining pockets, we're in it to win it with our good friends and their sla......er........employees overseas. ahem.
Sad to say but I have been working a part time gig since 2009 & can't even get into the career that I want. Hopefully one day it will change & since I'm only taking care of myself, it's alot easier.
"...how do they respond to an uptick in sales without adding fixed expenses such as permanent workers? 'They look at temp workers and employing more part time employees...'"
American business leaders are so inept that they actually believe they'll increase sales using temporary and part-time workers. Hey suits. You run with that idea and let us know when your, "Going-Out-of-Business Sale," starts.
Could not agree more. This started decades ago. I can still remember Ross Perot asking us if we heard that giant sucking sound of the good jobs leaving. NAFTA.
Trillions of dollars sitting in safe harbors waiting for Nov.
That should tell everyone something. If they would just listen.
No it's not harder to find. You simply have to move to a different Country or be willing to take low pay and no bennies.
Unless you can collectivly bargin AND be on the public dime. Than full time work pays!
Capitalism as WE KNOW IT is Dissolving before our very eyes and Socialism as we all know doesn't work for long---Is there a Alternative ? YES !!! It's called "Distributism". G.K. Chesterton said:"Excessive" Capitalism does not mean too many capitalists, But TOO FEW Capitalists". The problem is that Most Productive PROPERTY(Capital) is in the hands of a minority of rich elite. The rest of us are Wage-Slaves(educated or not) with Negligible Property in which we can make a living on our own terms.
Its very sad to me that so many workers may never know what it is to work for a Company who considers their employees their "most valuable asset", and therefore they do everything they can to reward them and make them feel valued. I fear nothing is valued today except greed and thus, employers would rather hire 3 part-time people instead of one full-time person because they don't want to offer humane benefits like sick leave, vacation pay, or health insurance. They would rather take advantage of the desperation of people to accept "any" job, knowing they can be replaced in a heartbeat should they ever get the courage to ask for even a small raise. Its despicable and there is no pride in working for a company with those kind of priorities.
Companies have forgotten that a motivated employee is a more productive and loyal employee and all employees really want is security and a fair salary that they can raise a family on.
Yes, there are a "few" companies like Google who offer really great benefits and pay but these are "high tech" jobs that many people looking for work cannot qualify for because college educations are expensive and out of reach for those people who must work two or three part-time jobs just to make ends meet. And lets face it, not everybody has the math or science skills to be a "techie", but is that any reason why the teacher, or the administrative assistant or the restaurant workers or the healthcare worker or receptionists should not be valued for the jobs they do? They have a right to the American Dream too.
Unfortunately, our Corporations have REALLY LOST SIGHT of what is really important. Its not just about success; its about "how they got there".
Welcome to the new norm. This is what the future holds. No one can change it, not the democrats, not the republicans. An unemployment rate of 7% is the new norm. Part time employment is the new norm. This is the new world order.
I hate to agree but I agree.
I'm self employed. I can be as busy as I want to be. I have to pay my own taxes, but what is that compared to setting my own hours?
If I don't have to, I will never work for someone else's business again.
Good for you. That's the new normal too. Good luck in your endevors.
My questions to Andrea Mulhearn Brobst -
Since when does having a four year degree entitle someone to a job? Seems that once you get that first job what you did in college really doesnt matter much. What you did at your previous job will carry far more weight. Even still - just having that paper that says you are qualified in something doesn't entitle you to that first job out of college.
I'm also curious did you do to stand out or grow in your position at your job before the downturn? My logic might be off base but if you're pushing to improve your work and such then one would think that there will be jobs you're plenty qualified for.
We should all just give it up. This country is finished. I"m ashamed to be here, live here. It's sickening. Let's all follow Jim Jones and just end all of it.
Everyone knows Capitalism is Evil. It goes against human nature. If you do not have money, you aint' jack.
You guys do know that America's number one Export is JOBS right?
What's funny is that you see all these jobs being advertised, but yet you never hear a word from anyone once you exhaust all options of letting them know you are the guy for the job. I submit at least 50-75 resumes weekly. What is not so funny is that most employers today like to add so many requirements to their job description. I mean if you just wanted to be a janitor in a school, you must have a certification in ISO yada yada, and must have a security clearance, or have at least 200 years of experience before they even consider you. This IS a big problem I have seen for quite some time now. It is ridiculous. Our Congress needs to look into this, as I have been unemployed for three years now!! I am a Project Manager with a PMP certification, and have a somewhat impressive resume. So I am really at odds with all of this. Is it because these job advertisements are for pooling candidates for the future? Or are these job ads just a front for some loophole reason? I know it sounds sick minded, but this guy is fed up.
I decided to make my own business, after feeling frustrations like you.
Desert rat- What? You don't have a green belt, a brown belt and the coveted black belt in statistical process control? And you dare to send out resumes? Well... And experience. They might be afraid of you if you have too much experience.
Having been unemployed for awhile now i can tell you even part time jobs are hard to come by. Everything is done over the internet, everyone is or seems to be more impressed with the quality of the resume than the person and so many people are looking that even when your qualified so is everyone else. I don't believe a word about how much better it's getting and i don't believe that Washington dc could do anything about it even if they wanted to. the unemployment figures don't even count people who have been refused unemployment. Once you've been refused you don't count for the numbers, Once you run out of unemployment you don't count in the numbers. Although i have no proof and cannot get any i would bet that the figures are 5% or more shy of the true numbers. i don't even want to look anymore ( but i don't have a choice. I have to continue to be refused because there is No retirement, no government aid of any time, and no politician that gives a damn about anything other than eliminating the opposite party and destroying the constitution)
Have thought in the same path as you. What did you end up doing for yourself?
I fix computers,game consoles, mobile phones. I also do modifications. Also sell bulk computer parts and cellphones on Ebay ( pain in the butt, Ebay sucks most of the time.).
Started on craigs list. Got a good partner. Now have two stores. Not much, but it pays the bills while I am in school.
Sounds good, hope that works out for you. I did Ebay some years ago, and yes it is a pain. Also too many offerors of everything under the sun to make your business work online, was very confusing at times. Well Good Luck to you in all that you do, at work or at school.
I am all for job opportunities for all ethnicities but I would love to understand why does the media advocate that theres no jobs but when you go to any and all retailers, restaurants, hospitals etc all you encounter are non american workers..I think the media should change the statement of no jobs to theres no jobs for americans because the employers rather keep their bonuses and BMW's instead of paying emplyees their true rates of employment...I feel that the average American like myself who has a great job but decided to advance my education in order for my compensation can do sustainably better...With gas, and food prices constantly increasing we must get more degrees in order to compete with the economy. So again someone please explain to me why American dont have jobs...LOL....if we were all possessed thick accents, or spoke a little english we would be AAA ok....just saying
i was a chef for 17 years in a critical care rest and retirement home. now at 52 i can't even get a dishwasher job.
BS You need to learn how to find a job all over again.
I have always stated in some of these articles, that we the Americans NEED to take a stand against the tyranny and corruption in our government. BUT we do nothing. The government is just like a business that you or I would run, of course much bigger. The CEO's (politicians who you voted in) have chosen to run that business in the ground. Sure they will get on that camera and look and act like a true Christian with morals, but down deep they are all crooked. All they need is just 5 years to collect, but we need 20. Do you know of many companies in todays time that will actually keep you on for those years? Very rare. What bugs me the most is that WE are in the millions as in population, and they (politicians) are a very small number in comparison. So what the heck is holding us back? Fear? The unknown? Worried that your name or reputation will go in the hole? PLEASE think of our kids future by standing up against this very poorly ran country (business).
Well I think that this is no country to live in anymore...I am watching my kids and grand kids getting nowhere with jobs today....Home Depot is hiring hiring hiring 4 hours a day so they don't have to pay benefits...and when they could move some of the employees on to full time they don't because it will cost them to much...they just hire more part timers at 4 hours a day and minimum wage with never raises...and they only get 16 hours a week...they cant even pay rent and feed themselves...I have everyone having had to move into my house with me because they cant afford to get a place to live....it is a huge nightmare and something needs to be done about it all with the Labor board...get us a president that can stop all this and fix it....This is no country to live in any more....
Life At The Top,
That's funny .... there sure does not seem to be any problem at all with big corporations paying bloated 8-figure 'salaries' to their CEOs for jet-setting around, playing golf and drinking martinis half their time on the job. These are the same fat cats that keep most of their rank and file workers under 36 or 32 hours a week so that they won't have to, God forbid, pay them any benefits like health care and vacations. Oh yes, thats right, everyone is equal... but the uber-rich are far far more equal than others, and that will never change. This has become a fuedal society of privilidged nobles and indentured serfs.
Peace
I don't WANT a FT job, I NEED a FT job - I'm 44 & single. PT would be fine if I were married.
Economic superiority is only attainable by having a strong manufacturing base and are the prerequisite to military superiority. The U.S. Congress, the White House, Corporate America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave away the country's advantage in technology and manufacturing know-how with dual applications, commercial and military, to China.
Most Favored Nation (MFN) status was granted to Communist China in 1979 and has been renewed on a yearly basis ever since and made permanent as Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status in 2000. MFN/PNTR allows the Chinese access to U.S. markets at tariff rates that average six percent. Nations without the
designation face a forty-four percent tariff. The Republicans spearheaded these
actions for the sake of their corporate and U.S. Chamber of Commerce benefactors with the help of some Democrats.
More than just granting Red China an open door to the U.S. market, the American political establishment has implemented a Chinese "Marshall Plan". The Chinese economy is growing by leaps and bounds at the expense of the American workers/middle-class. It is hard to shop at many U.S. stores and buy something that is not made in China. The U.S. market is flooded with toys, shoes and gadgets manufactured by cheap Chinese labor. Scores of U.S. companies moved their manufacturing operations to China and exporting the finished product back to the U.S. (apfn.org) This was made possible by drastically reducing tariffs. Tariffs that protected the American workers/middle-class from cheap/slave labor in China
and the Third World for years and made the U.S. a global and military super
power.
This action by the U.S. Congress and the White House created millions of unemployed and under employed and drastically reduced the import tax revenue, reduced individual and business tax base drastically increasing the budget deficit in the trillions of dollars at the Federal, State and Local levels. It also under-funded Social Security and Medicare. Now we have to reduce the military budget, increase tuition, lay-off teachers, cancel summer school, etc. due to lack of funds while China is on the way to becoming the economic and military super power of the globe replacing the U.S.A.
We should all demand that the U.S. Congress and the White House repeal China's
PNTR. This should be the major issue in the presidential election.
TO PRESIDENT OBAMA, GOV. ROMNEY AND THE U.S. CONGRESS: REPEAL CHINA'S PNTR STATUS NOW.
There alot of full time job out here in Garbnden City Kansas, The paper got 3 or 4 page of help want ads.
That doesn't help me in Seattle Wa. My local paper doesn't even have help wanted ads any more well ok 1/2 a page of High tech every sunday. but thankss for the info.
Not only are the politicians playing political games but so is corporate America. Maximize already obscene profits, minimize employee expenses and get their candidate in the White House...that's what they're all about!
im 20 1/2.. still no job.. 100's of apps.. resumes.. paper and trees lol.. and like maybe 1-2 interviews over a 9 month time.. thats pretty bad.. how come so many other 15-17 year olds are getting jobs? you'd figure they wouldnt be mature yet to handle it. and im tired of hearing.." go get your 100,000 4 year degree to work " excuese.. lol truth is probably 2/3 of all jobs dont require a degree.. there just bullcrapping you to get more money.. they would scam anyone just to earn an extra dollar.. dont you people know that. and i cant afford college so i dont feel like risking lots of student loans in this type of recession.. only to work at mcdonalds with 100,000 on my a$$ pileing up.. then on top gas and food are sky rocketing.. real helpful america has become... someone has to be a lowpaid teacher, police men, fire men, janitor, fast food worker, and other low paid hard working jobs that make up most of america like most farmers. those jobs dont even get past the national average of 49,000.. maybe if your on the police force for like 15 years then you'll have passed it or firemen.. but teachers keep getting bulled out there bonuses here in idaho... and im sure elsewhere... like i said what a joke its been.. and my last 2 jobs were short part time.. how do you live on part time? all the money you make goes back into the insurrance and 401k, and other stuff the gov. makes you pay.. federal taxes.. my god this country is a joke with its money-ways.