Americans Live in Terror of Losing Their Jobs

[marmar]

(AlterNet) Americans are scared of losing their jobs, and the worry is particularly pronounced among lower-income workers.

A Washington Post poll highlighted in an article shows that over 60 percent of workers polled are scared they will lose their job, a number that has increased since the 1970s.

Another record high is that 1 in 3 workers worry “a lot” about being fired or laid off. While low-income workers have always been scared of job insecurity, the worry is even more intense today. The poll found that 54 percent of workers making less than $35,000 worry a lot about losing their jobs. 85 percent of low-wage workers are fearful that their income cannot meet basic expenses. And the poll found that this worry transcends partisan lines, with workers in support of the president still reporting anxiety and worry.

The Washington Post profiled John Stewart as a case in point. He earns $5.25 an hour (plus tips) by working at the Philadelphia airport, wheeling elderly people from ticket counters through security to their gates. Stewart told the Post he “can’t save money to buy the things I need to live as a human being”--including treatment for psoriasis, which causes his skin to flake. ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/americans-are-afraid-losing-their-jobs

[Triana]

1. Only 60%? Literally every working person I know is in constant fear of losing their job

And that's people at all incomes (min wage to well over $100K+). The corprats LOVE this. A fearful workforce is a pliable workforce - easily abused and easily underpaid. And their government (the GOP/Tealiban they bought for themselves) love it too. You know, The Koch Bros, Mitt Romney, GE, Verizon, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and the like. All of Wall St.

This is part of the class war that working folks LOST a long time ago.

Make NO mistake: They intend a return to SLAVERY. They've always loved it. They always will.

When unions were destroyed, so were worker's rights and the middle class.

They own us. They can do whatever they want to us. Even if it's illegal. And they will mostly get away with it.

The BIG question is: What are we going to do about it?

[LisaLynne]

2. I completely agree.

They (meaning the corporations) WANT us to live in constant fear of losing our jobs. That's what they want. I read a blog about workplace issues and it would be comical if it weren't so scary how many times people come there asking if something is illegal. It's ALWAYS legal, because we have so few protections in this country for labor. The employers can do what they want. I do think people assume that in general we have more legal protections than we do and I've been thinking if we could really get the truth out to more people, get them to understand how vulnerable we workers are, that maybe -- MAYBE -- we could get some people to act.

[madrchsod]

3. i agree..everyone is expendable

[tech3149]

4. You're right much more than 60% is afraid

I'm not afraid any more about losing my job. I gave it up in 2002. I was good at what I did. I loved what I did. But now I'm a dinosaur. Any one I worked with or worked for said without equivocation that I would always be welcome.

I'm lucky I was able to walk away with enough to support me in the interim. Not sure how long it will last but but my task these days is to try and open the thought processes and perspectives of people willing to listen.

We aren't owned if we are not willing to be sold. I know that those at the greatest risk don't have the freedom to do anything but submit, but those of us that don't have to worry about where the next meal is coming from should be working in education of the masses. Education them about the systems and people who exploit their labor for profit and the propaganda they are exposed to every day.

Tell them to talk to neighbors, learn about their lives, Tell them to go to town council meetings, county commission meetings.
Find out what those "important people" are doing with "your money"

[Mr.Bill]

5. The ruling class knows they're doing it right when you hear people say "I'm lucky I have a job."

The opposite is really true. Those who employ others are lucky to have people work for them.

[Phlem]

8. totally the meme around the office

till it was sold and everyone was out.

When does the nightmare end? I guess when the TPP puts the final nail in the coffin.



-p

[hibbing]

11. I say that to myself..blah

I tell myself that sometimes just to make me think of how much worse it could be, it is a shame to be living in fear of losing your job. It certainly cannot be good for my health, that I know for sure. One of the reasons I don't keep more than I can cram in a box at work. I have seen too many people walk in at 8 in the morning and walk out at 9 with no job.

Peace

[rocktivity]

6. Candidate for this year's "You Call This NEWS?" awards

But I have to admit that I thought that The Daily Show paid more than $5.25 an hour...


rocktivity

[Phlem]

7. It's getting warm I hope the kettle isn't set too high.

Cause the longer people endure this the more likely someone's going to snap and all it's going to take is the first "CRACK" and it's all downhill from there.

I've been struggling bad for the last 5 yrs trying to stay in my field of work and I think I'm going to have to go retail "dead end" just to make ends meet. My savings is dwindling.

I saw this coming 5 + years ago, I just didn't realize there was no end in sight.

So what happens when become 3rd world? Think people might start voting?

FFS.

-p

[Cryptoad]

9. Tell me once again

why is it that corporation making record profits can not pay their employees enough to feed their families?

[Useless in FL]

10. I argree. I worked my whole life and lost most of my savings in the depression aka recession.....

I was in a tech job making good money until the recession.......lost it.....couldn't find another job at nearly age 63, took early retirement and applied for social security...became a real estate agent...lost a ton of money there....and I've finally taken a part-time job as an admin assistant ....just to make ends meet....and it doesn't most of the time. Fortunately I have Medicare but I haven't applied for Part D coverage because I just can't afford it. At the moment I seem to be in good health. I have a partner who has her own health insurance but is not in the best of health even though she is still in her 50's. I really feel that I am one step ahead of the next recession/depression. Just to make necessary repairs on our older home has me in a panic since I see that we will soon need a new roof and a new A/C system. My part time job (where I still pay SS taxes) and small pension and SS will not sustain us if she loses her job. We will lose our house....and who knows where we'll be after that.

So, do you think I'm scared???? You bet! All I want at this point in my life is to know that my bills are paid and that I will not be out on the street...but that is just a heartbeat away....just because I lost my life savings in the stock-market crash...and my job.

[CFLDem]

12. Employes no longer respect experience

as much as they used to. Thanks to the destruction of unions, everyone is now ultimately in business for themselves.

You be as smart or as ingenious as you want, but unless you're upper management, you still get the rug pulled out from under you, usually in one's 50's or 60's.

[Chuuku Davis]

13. I am blessed and thankful

If fired tomorrow, I would be able to start anywhere around here on Jan 6
I would take that much time as a vacation
Because I don't get much time off as it is
Again, very thankful for my choice of trade and my skillset