Part-time jobs put millions in poverty or close to it
By Patrick Gillespie, CNNMoney
NEW YORK — Seven million Americans are stuck in part-time jobs.
They are unable to get full-time work and the benefits and stability that come with it. It’s a constant struggle for these families and a worrying sign for America’s recovery.
Overall U.S. unemployment has fallen steeply in the past year (from 7.2 percent in October 2013 to 5.8 percent in October 2014), but too many people can only find part-time positions.
The number of people working part-time involuntarily is more than 50 percent higher than when the recession began.
There was a similar spike in part-time workers in prior recessions, but it dropped quickly. That’s not happening this time around. In fact, some states have seen an increase during the recovery in people languishing in part-time jobs who want something more.