Working Women Tell Survey: It’s the Economy!

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/06/25/working-women-tell-survey-its-the-economy/

by Mike Hall, Jun 25, 2008

Working women are spending more and more time on the job with less time for themselves and their families. But the nation’s souring economy is such a major concern, most say they would use any extra time to work a second job.



The more than 12,000 women who took the sixth Ask a Working Woman survey online—released today by Working America and the AFL-CIO—also said the top item that would make their lives easier is a 10 percent raise. While issues such as affordable health care and quality child care remain major concerns for working women, paying the bills, buying the groceries, filling the tank and paying the rent and mortgage is what worries them most.

Judith, a 2008 Ask a Working Woman survey respondent, wrote:

Prices for everything have soared out of control while wages stagnate.

Karen Nussbaum, executive director of Working America, says working women are caught in a bind between struggling to keep the checkbook balanced and finding time for family life.

Working women want to spend more time with their families, but they can’t afford to. Working women say they want more cash in their wallets, even more than other benefits, like health care. Unemployment is up, the credit crunch is squeezing people and gas prices are hitting record highs. America’s working women need a raise and a break.

The survey found that working women are spending so much time at work that 42 percent say they talk to their co-workers more than their children or friends. They also say they have little time for themselves, with 37 percent saying they work during their breaks or have no breaks at work. After work and family responsibilities, some 43 percent say they have less than an hour a day for themselves and 72 percent of working women who are parents report less than an hour of downtime a day.


The worsening economy is hitting hard at working women, saddling them with debt as well as rising prices. Working women are using their credit cards to pay for durable goods and everyday items. Says Kelly:

I have to choose every day if I am going to buy food or gas to get to work. Gas always wins, because I need my paycheck to support my family. I never have enough money, ever.

FULL story at link.