The employment situation in the US is like a game of musical chairs,

[raccoon]

and has been as long as I've been old enough to notice. I'm 60-ish.

In the 70's I got a job as a clerk in a hospital. Had benefits right off the bat.

In the 80's I worked temp jobs--by then there were lots of them--until the early '80's recession finally let up. Oh, and in those days I was looking for a computer programming job, and for about a year after I was looking most employers I looked into had a hiring freeze on and nobody would give you the time of day unless you had experience.

In the 90's, the best I could do was part-time, no benes job. I'm still in that job.

YMMV, of course. But I don't see how anyone who is aware and informed could escape the conclusion that for the past few decades, "good" jobs with benes have become fewer and fewer.

[Javaman]

1. Remember the old days when benefits were 100% covered?

ahhh the good old days.

[VenusRising]

2. I got my first job at 16 in the 90s.

I've never had a job where I got benefits of any kind.

I'll be 35 in July.

[Alameda]

3. They there is the subject of pensions....no pensions anymore

We get 401K packages, but as far as I'm concerned those are crap. You don't have much to say about what you are "invested" in. You can loose it all......and many have.

[Alameda]

4. They there is the subject of pensions....no pensions anymore

We get 401K packages, but as far as I'm concerned those are crap. You don't have much to say about what you are "invested" in. You can loose it all......and many have.

[WingDinger]

5. Since the 80's, the way to get the job was to have them fire their least favorite guy.

[NNN0LHI]

6. Believe me I know this. I was laid off a lot until I finally retired

I lived it just like you. Same periods. Good benefits were expected on just about every job.

Started out good in the 70's but it went downhill fast from there.

Don

[kelly1mm]

7. This is the main reason I stated working for myself. Tired of corporate games. nt

[moondust]

8. I see your mistake.

You weren't born rich and connected enough to buy an expensive "education" and all the props that would have opened the gates to Easy Street.

Better luck next time.

:sarcasm:

[Imajika]

9. You may just have had some really bad luck then...

"In the 90's, the best I could do was part-time, no benes job. I'm still in that job."

Seriously? Even in the 90's? The unemployment rate was so low in most places during much of Clinton's 2 terms in office that companies were handing out benefits and signing bonuses like crazy just to get warm bodies in the door. Unless you live in a remote area, I can't understand how you couldn't at least find a full time job.

[raccoon]

10. Everybody speaks from their own experience.

Due to physical problems, I'm limited as to what I can do and was in a field that was way overcrowded. Plus already over 40.