The Great American Workforce: A Student's Guide to Work and the Economy

The Great American Workforce explores the fascinating landscape of modern work in America providing a plain English explanation of essential terms, concepts, and history of the American workforce. More than 40 colorful charts and graphs illustrate the content. Controversial issues including the employment implications of international trade, immigration, and technology receive, careful, fact based coverage. The Great American Workforce serves as an excellent tool for new employees, for anyone interested in economics, public policy, and societal issues, or for those who just missed that day in school. The book busts hoary myths and delves into the odd corners and paradoxes of the American workforce. For instance:At least three and one half million workers were laid off, fired, or quit their jobs during each and every month of the year 2018. Yet unemployment declined;Just 40 percent of all adults work full time, year round. Even when you add part time and seasonal workers, only 60 percent work. And that is not such a bad thing;A total of 99.7 percent of all US businesses have fewer than 500 employees. Eighty-six percent have fewer than 15 employees;The Greatest Generation was a bunch of dropouts(mostly). In 1950, only 25 percent of US adults had a high school diploma; fewer than six percent had a college degree. Now 92 percent have graduated from HS. About 35 percent have a four-year college degree; American workers speak 350 languages but nearly all speak English as well; German is the most common ancestry of American workers in 22 states and for the entire country; Only about one-third of the unemployed actually receive unemployment benefits; And much more