A Radical Way to Reduce Unemployment (employee, unemployed, degree, find a job)

[tijlover]

You read any number of posts criticizing greedy companies. But what about greedy workers?

I'm referring to any number of people who are working two full-time jobs or a full-time job and a part-time job, and are not doing this because of financial needs, they're doing it out of greed.

I know any number of these people, co-workers, working two full-time jobs, or there's the overtime gobblers.

It would be nice, during these severe economic times, for any number of these people to give up one of their jobs to someone that truly needs it, at least temporarily. But will they? No, not about to happen, as they may have their eyes on a new BMW.

So, during these depressed times, would you favor the idea of assessing workers, case by case, whether they really need to work another job, and depriving someone else of a job?

Yes, I'm more than aware there are those who have no choice to work but 2 or even 3 jobs, but I'm targeting the greedy workers. Or the senior citizen
who has ample income, who is still working, and who doesn't need the money.

[charolastra00]

How do you know how much money a person needs?

Next year after I graduate, I'm aiming for a 2 year fellowship position. It pays (after taxes) around 19,000 a year. I will definitely be looking for a part time job on the side. Now, some people might argue that since I am a single young person graduating with no student loans and no financial responsibilities that I should be able to live off of that and not be "greedy. I say that's ridiculous. Where do you draw the line?

[maf763]

I work extra jobs because I enjoy them and they are helpful for furthering my career. And there may come a day in a few years when I'll be able to drop my full-time job and live off the side work, so no, I won't be giving them up. Besides, they require an advanced degree and training and would not be able to be filled by any random person.

And I'm not a frothing gubmint-hater, but the notion of an agency to decide whether somebody should be allowed a second job is as frightening as it is ridiculous.

[annerk]

That's one step closer to Socialism. So I vote a resounding NO!

Look at it this way. Someone is workign a P/T job so they can buy a BMW. First, that person might be the best employee that business has. Next, they are taking that money and SPENDING it, which is in turn creating other jobs.

I work F/t, and have a P/T business on the side. My P/T business is not something that just anyone can do, it requires a certain amount of skill and talent, not to mention years of making the right connections. If I didn't do it, it's not like some random person would be hired off the unemployment line. Even if they were, I can guarantee they wouldn't be able to do the job. So why would I give up this job?

The best person for the job should get the job, whether they are unemployed or not. If we just give people jobs because they are able to fog a mirror, it will make for lazy employees and unproductive workforces. It didn't work in the USSR, it's not going to work here.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by tijlover

You read any number of posts criticizing greedy companies. But what about greedy workers?

I'm referring to any number of people who are working two full-time jobs or a full-time job and a part-time job, and are not doing this because of financial needs, they're doing it out of greed.

I know any number of these people, co-workers, working two full-time jobs, or there's the overtime gobblers.

It would be nice, during these severe economic times, for any number of these people to give up one of their jobs to someone that truly needs it, at least temporarily. But will they? No, not about to happen, as they may have their eyes on a new BMW.

So, during these depressed times, would you favor the idea of assessing workers, case by case, whether they really need to work another job, and depriving someone else of a job?

Yes, I'm more than aware there are those who have no choice to work but 2 or even 3 jobs, but I'm targeting the greedy workers. Or the senior citizen who has ample income, who is still working, and who doesn't need the money.

Is this what they teach in school these days?

Central planning has always worked well wherever it is tried from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Germany to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to the mighty Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. True Peoples Paradises each and every one.

[macroy]

uh..ok...

why not take it a step further: smart / efficient people are not allowed to work to their full capacity; this way there will be more work to go around....

[HIF]

Have I stumbled into the Cuba forum?!

[GypsySoul22]

Again, I need a job or two, but I don't think we can 'tell people' how much they should work.

I guess if you have the time and no ties, you can still be a hustler (not in the perverted sense) and make a living.

If a person gets 2 part time jobs, we can't tell them, give one to someone else. I have said it before.. I lost a job to someone who already had a part-time job and yes, I was angry, but it's not my call.

[7 Wishes]

Hey OP, I hear you, check out this thread that I started a couple of months ago: http://www.city-data.com/forum/work-...-year-you.html

Unfortunately, as you can see from the responses here (similar to my thread), we're doing ourselves in by this paranoia we all have that by being a little caring for our fellow man we're going to turn into the Soviet Union. There's a big difference between "Communism" and "being our brother's keeper". Yes, we need incentive and ambition but greed is a sin (which got us in this mess in the first place), may we all drown together in our paranoia.

Did you all know that the 40 hour week/overtime laws were creating to do what the OP said during the Depression?

[tijlover]

I work in a healthcare facility.

One employee works tons of overtime because she's got a gambling addiction.

Another employee works two highly-paid full-time jobs because if she didn't, she told me she'd bored to death at home, climbing the walls. And the unemployed person
who has no work? That person is bored to death at home, climbing the walls 7 days a week.

I know a retired postal worker in his 70's, has a great pension, very comfortable social security income, house and car paid for, and still works part time at the post office doing routes. My question: You don't need the money, why aren't you doing some volunteer work instead?

No, I don't advocate communism, I advocate compassion for your fellow man who's struggling and trying to find a job.