More job seekers giving up, reducing work force

[discocrisco01]

Source: Associated Press

The labor force — those who have a job or are looking for one — is getting smaller, even though the economy is growing and steadily adding jobs. That trend defies the rules of a normal economic recovery.

Nobody is sure why it’s happening. Economists think some of the missing workers have retired, have entered college or are getting by on government disability checks. Others have probably just given up looking for work.

“A small work force means millions of discouraged workers, lower output in the future and a weak recovery,” says Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the ranking Republican on the Congress’ Joint Economic Committee.

By the government’s definition, if you quit looking, you’re no longer counted as unemployed. And you’re no longer part of the labor force.

Since November, the number of Americans counted as employed has grown by 765,000, to just shy of 139 million. The nation has been creating jobs every month as the economy recovers. The economy added 244,000 jobs in April. But the number of Americans counted as unemployed has shrunk by much more — almost 1.3 million — during this time. That means the labor force has dropped by 529,000 workers.



Read more: http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20110602/WIRE/110609941/-1/SPORTS02?Title=More-job-seekers-giving-up-reducing-work-force

[phasma ex machina]

1. Over politicization makes government economic statistics sunny and meaningless. nt

[givemebackmycountry]

2. Every single goddamn morning of my life...

I am so happy I still have a place to go to work.
Years ago they were saying that if you didn't change jobs every five years, there was something wrong with you.
I have worked for the same BIG company for 23 years now, and I am SO fucking glad that I never followed that advice.
I'm now what you may called "entrenched".

I know everything and I know everybody that counts.
I have a NYC telephone directory of contacts that I can call upon for virtually anything.
Longevity.
It's a good thing.

[bluestateguy]

3. An aging population

An unemployed 60 year old, for example, seeing no employment prospects, may just cash out his IRA to hold himself over until he can qualify for Social Security.

[InkAddict]

9. LOL - IRA

That vanished trying to deal with the corrupt Countrywide Mtg, due, even before the crash and bailout) to unemployment and, why of course, our own family issues managed on what little safety nets existed at that time. Yup, early SS is our bottom line forever...why postpone the inevitable cruelty of our existence - we'll live, not well, until we die (soonest) - and it WILL be a blessing.

In a few years we'll be gone for lack of what - shelter? protection from crime? food? AC/heat? healthcare that's unaffordable after we pay the insurance company of our choice and they cut the SS/Medicare and garnish out the Stafford loans payments. I have little hope in the faith-based model of charity at home, Palin-style, elephant-style, or jackass style. I've seen how that works out...one can't eat prayers or republican/democratic rhetoric, and for sure some nice Christian denomination(s) will make a killing (literally and metaphorically). What does it matter when our great leaders are stone-cold deaf to the noises of outrage. Now, tell me again that American doesn't torture.

Will the press write up a "sad" story on our demise...don't hold your breaths. Oh, BTW, you're (the collective one/nothing personal) next.

63/60 here and, sorry, out of hope this country can do better or even has the will to do better.

I haven't filed yet either, so I'm one of the zombies - what difference will that pittance make when our state takes loans to pass it out because they can't bring themselves to tax the richest and would rather tax us.

[sunwyn]

4. I have been trying to find a job for three years and have now given after

Being told recently at several different job interviews that I been unemployed too long. I am at my wits end. Lost my home, my car, everything. I am I'll with no insurance and have yet to receive any go ernment help. I have given up.

[PassingFair]

10. Don't give up Sunwyn.

:hug:

My husband was unemployed for 7 years, and he
finally got a spot, doing what he loves to do,
3 months ago.

He has a contract to continue on until the end
of the year.

Keep putting yourself out there, and DO NOT
take rejection personally.

Keep your expectations low, and you will prevail.

:hug:

[Serve The Servants]

5. I can't imagine the going back to college scenario is common

At least for an adult who has (had) a career and with bills to pay. Why is that continuously listed as a suspected reason people stop looking for work?

During this recession the cost of living has gone up, while wages have gone down. I think workers are simply demoralized and have given up and I don't blame them.
Go on Craig's list and look for job listings in your career field. Notice how little they pay now compared to what used to be or how many are 1099 contact jobs paying the same as a standard W2 employee rate (1099 jobs should pay more by comparison). We are being taken advantage of.

In 2011, I make 20% less than I did in 2007 doing the same kind of work... When I actually do get work, which isn't that much these days. I've gotten by because I have generous family members helping me and my HOA has basically let me off the hook with my dues for several months now (I owe over $5000 so far). I have completely cut out all luxuries from my life and everything else is done in the cheapest way possible.

Currently, I work for a temp agency; usually as an IT Technician. Last week they had me clear a field out with a weedwacker working for the city, it's obviously not my usual gig but I did earn more than they would usually pay someone for that job. I take what I can get now.

[shanti]

11. what's happening

is that people are going back to college BECAUSE they can't find work, to get the financial aid. one of my sons has been unemployed for three years. if he wasn't getting financial aid from jc, he would be on the streets. he gets food stamps too. he knows it won't last forever though :(.

[Serve The Servants]

14. Financial Aid

Got it. I was wondering where the money for tuition & living expenses was coming from.
Good luck to your son, and no it won't last for ever.

[fasttense]

6. My husband has technically been unemployed for 3 years now.

I say technically because he has taken to farming and selling high end specialty crops to Restaurants and at the Farmer's Market (I help). But if someone came along and offered him a decent job, he would take it. The problem is there are no decent jobs out there and we make more farming than what a minimum wage job or McJob would pay. His knowledge and experience has made our farming business pretty successful.

You would think a man with a degree and 20 years management experience could find a decent job. But this economy has pretty well wiped out all hope of that.

[Autumn Colors]

7. Or are being shut out by companies with "unemployed need not apply" policies (nt)

[discocrisco01]

12. That Should Be Ilegal

There should be a law states that it is illegal practice and the company shall be fined $10,000 for engaging in that practice or even worse, send the owner to the county jail for 60 days.

[dotymed]

8. Let's see...

If you apply for a decent, non-manual labor job, you have to pass a credit check. That is pretty hard if you have been unemployed 3-5 years. Even many "McJobs" are doing the credit check. I cannot understand the logic. Of course if you have been unemployed, long term, then your credit is shot...

IMO, a pre-employment credit check IS illegal.

[izquierdista]

13. What I've also given up

I won't be buying any more cars, new or used. I will keep the old ones running, spending as little as possible.

I won't be buying any new furniture; if I do need something, I'm sure I can find it at a second hand store.

I won't be buying any consumer electronics either, since they also have that at the second hand stores.

I won't be buying any expensive clothes; KMart, Ross, and Marshall's are just fine since I don't have to impress an employer.

I won't be taking any expensive vacations; being semi-retired is already a vacation and why should I pay money for a change of scenery?

I won't be buying any books or magazines; I can leaf through what's interesting at the bookstore or check it out at the library.

I won't be taking in any concerts; there's plenty of stuff on YouTube to listen to.

I won't be going to any first-run movies; they'll be at the $2 theater soon enough.

I won't be buying any health insurance; going to save my money instead for out of country medical services.

So reading that some economists think, gives me pause -- no, they don't.

[golfguru]

15. Half of the 55,000 jobs created last month were from McDonald's

paying just over minimum wage. This economy is in very bad shape.