“We’re not ok”

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At first glance, the numbers seem like great news: the national unemployment rate has fallen to just under four percent. But like a lot of news reports, there’s so much more to that story that actually comes out in talking to people about their jobs rather than just reporting on survey results. Some people are overworked, clocking in at several shifts. They not only have one job; they have three. Others don’t have enough work, or are one step away from disaster when it comes to illness or child care.

“We’re not ok,” says Alissa Quart, author of the new book Squeezed: Why Our Families Can’t Afford America. Quart talked to people all over the country to find out what’s really going on, behind the seemingly good numbers. She found the gig economy, which was supposed to give us flexibility, also comes without guarantees or, of course, health care. Maybe the most important lesson Quart gives us is to start a conversation, to get rid of the stigma of talking about money, talking about what’s wrong with work.

— Shannon

Mailbag: The Trouble At Work

We had several listeners write in with their own stories of being frustrated with the modern workplace, including many having trouble getting through the door. Here’s one:

Other listeners sensed the existential issues that our economy creates for different types of workers. Interesting to think of how AI might replace not the people building things, but the people “supervising those who don’t need supervising.”

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