More work part time out of economic necessity

[Bozita]

Source: The Grand Rapids Press

More work part time out of economic necessity
by Elibabeth Piet | The Grand Rapids Press
Sunday March 30, 2008, 8:00 AM


As the softening economy pushes more people into part-time jobs in place of full-time work, the part-time world is getting tougher.

Since being laid-off from her full-time community director position in May, Donna Brown has taken four part-time jobs to replace the income. And although she has a master's degree in business administration and teaches part time, it's the cashier position at Lowe's that provides her health benefits.

Brown, who lives in Pentwater, was recently at a Davenport University job fair in Caledonia Township as she searched for full-time work.

"I do get discouraged, especially when I'm working two jobs in one day -- or three," she said. "You have to make ends meet in this day and age."

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/03/more_work_part_time_out_of_eco.html

[skooooo]

1. People are going to be fighting over jobs at McDonalds...

I am SO thankful for my job.

[Warpy]

2. They already are

and the economic slowdown means few places, even fast food places with high turnover, are hiring or even taking applications.

I went to the mall last week for a haircut and the place was nearly deserted. Staff in the stores were tense, to say the least.

I would be very surprised if many of those businesses last the whole year.

[Nay]

7. Thankful for my job, too -- even tho I bitch sometimes about how

boring it is. It's secure, with decent pay and all bennies, so I count my blessings. God knows I could have been unlucky like so many ppl.

[skooooo]

9. Boring = good.

Unfortunately, it's true, especially in bad times.

[Bluzmann57]

3. I work some unusual hours

With several days off, so I decided to start a side business doing lawn care. It's something I enjoy and it would mean a few extra dollars. But, alas, it can't be done at this time because of the high price of gas and the side effects. So, I must work overtime. But I consider myself lucky in that I have a job when so many are losing theirs. But as the headline states, overtime, part time work, whatever, it is a need anymore. Unless one wants to live in a house without electricity and run around naked and skinny because of no food.

[emmadoggy]

4. "That's wonderful! Uniquely Amurkan, ain't it?"

She should tell shrub-for-brains so he could tell her how great it is that she gets to work so many jobs to keep food on the table (if she ever has time to sit down at the table).

My sister just got laid off from her six-figure-salary job last week.

[gateley]

5. When more six-figure salaried folks are affected,

maybe there will be a groundswell of revolt. To what end, I don't know, but..

And this is NOT a slam on your sister -- six figured salaries are not what they once were. I wouldn't lump her into the "filthy rich clueless" class by any means. I'm sorry this happened to her - I know it must be devastating. :(

[emmadoggy]

10. Thanks.

She's pretty upset about it. There were no inklings or hints that this could be coming - it was completely out of the blue. She has a good network of contacts and a couple prospects so far. Ironically, the company that laid her off is now saying they "don't want to lose her" and is trying to see if they could move her into a different position. :eyes: With a substantial paycut, of course.

Unfortunately, she feels that it's likely that no matter what she finds, the prospects of getting something that matches her current salary are slim. Since she's the main breadwinner in the family, it means they will likely have to sell the dream home they built 2 years ago.

[gateley]

11. That's awful --

and I'm afraid she may be right about having difficulty finding another position in the same salary bracket. The stories are rampant. I wish her the best! :hug:

[Bozita]

8. Some Biglaw firms in Chicago have recently been firing PARTNERS!

Firms that hire new law grads at $150,000-$165,000/yr.

[ejpoeta]

6. isn't that what bush said was 'uniquely american'

does that mean it's a good thing? it's one thing to work a second job because you want to or want a little extra spending money. it's another altogether for someone to HAVE to work two or three jobs just to pay bills. Though, I guess bush who enjoys all those vacations he takes wouldn't understand any of that.

[HughBeaumont]

12. This video cannot be passed around enough . . .

. . . . lest anyone think there's such a thing called "compassionate conservatism":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAkRoWVmavc

[Juche]

13. I'm sooo screwed

Well not totally as I can live with family. I got out of college with a biochemistry degree last year, but with the worst economic downturn in 70 years I'm probably not going to find anything science related anytime soon (i've had some interviews but haven't found anything yet). So I'll probably end up being underemployed at an $8/hr job for the next year or two. I can live off of $8/hr or live with my parents, but it sucks. All this education, and I probably can't use it. This sucks. And that is assuming I can find an $8/hr office job.

My fear is by the time the economy turns around it'll be so long between graduation and finding a job that my degree won't matter anymore to employers. If so, i'll do grad school. But still, it stinks.

[ckramer]

14. What school did you go to?

Just be curious...

[Juche]

16. IU

Indiana University

[Zorra]

15. It's going to get worse for a long time before it starts getting better.

Only a committed Democratic House, Senate, and White House will be able to pull off the resurrection of our economy.

The conservative SCOTUS and lower federal benches will fight any positive economic actions taken by Democrats.

I believe that Democrats need to prosecute Bu*h, Cheney, and the rest of the Bu*h administration for their crimes, immediately after Dems take over the government in'08, in order to make it clear that this cabal is a clear and present danger and an imminent and ongoing threat to our national security.

Dems may then institute emergency measures that will allow them to legally remove all Bu*h appointees from their offices and positions, enabling Dems to prevent an obstructionist, fascist Federal Judicary from maliciously continuing the existing threat, that has been posed by the Bu*h cabal, to the the peace and security of every American citizen and the rest of the people on this planet.