Jobs Created Since 2005 Are Temporary; Full-Time Jobs Steadily Declining

By Elita Kerr | Dec 15, 2016 05:41 AM EST

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Are conventional full-time jobs dissolving? Economists Lawrence Katz of Harvard University and Alan Krueger at Princeton University conducted a survey research showing that from 2005 to 2015, the proportion of Americans workers engaged in what they refer to as "alternative work" bounced from 10.7% to 15.8%.

Alternative work are defined as work performed as independent contractor or through a temporary help of agency. And its identify by impermanent or unstable.

Nearly all the 10 million jobs created between 2005 to 2015 were not traditional nine-five-employment. "We find that 94% of net job growth in the past decade was in the alternative work category, and over 60% was due to the rise of independent contractors, freelancers and contract company workers." said Krueger. Krueger was surprised by the finding.

The survey's initial goal was to appraise the size of the gig economy (0.5% and growing).There had been almost no change from 1995 to 2005. The researchers were taken off guard by the tremendous growth of alternative work as per 2005 to 2015.

Both economists, Katz and Krueger found that each of the common types alternative work increased - with the largest changes in the number of independent contractors contract firms that provided workers, such as janitors that working thorough office, but are paid by janitorial services firm.

Conventional full-time work is declining and impacted every demographic. It depends on what kinds of jobs people want, whether this change is good or not. "Workers seeking full-time, steady work have lost, While many of those who value flexibility and have a spouse with a steady job have probably gained." said Krueger.

It's more appealing to become an independent contractor for graphic designers, lawyers, new technology and Obamacare. But for those seeking a steady office job, the market would be stern.

As percent of Americans in contract work by gender, Women experienced great increased in the share of alternative work. They were three percentage points less than men to employ in alternative work in 2005, but two percentage points more likely in 2015. The sectors saw the largest move towards alternative work arrangements like medicine and education which has a high proportion of women.

There is enormous change of work environment in America. We might expect the days of the conventional full-time job may be numbered.

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