Summary

The article discusses the shifting dynamics of the American workforce, where emerging opportunities in remote work and digital economies are challenging traditional employment models amidst rising inflation and a complex job market.

Abstract

The article "Live to Work or Work to Live — An American Crisis" by Sabrina Johnson delves into the current state of employment in the United States, highlighting a significant transition in work culture. It points out that with the advent of remote work, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and online gaming, traditional jobs in sectors like construction and manufacturing are at risk. The piece underscores the paradox of a 3.5% unemployment rate with 5.7 million unemployed individuals against 7.9 million available jobs, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Factors such as inflation and comparable wages between unemployment benefits and entry-level positions are leading many to question the value of traditional employment. The author invites readers to consider the implications of these changes and to reflect on the future of work, suggesting that society may be on the cusp of a workforce revolution that redefines the relationship between living and working.

Opinions

The author suggests that the traditional incentive to work is being undermined by the ease of earning from digital opportunities and the challenges of surviving on low wages in conventional jobs.
There is a concern that the current economic conditions, including inflation, are making it difficult for people to meet basic needs, thus affecting employment decisions.
The article posits that the workforce is facing a crisis, with a notable imbalance between the number of available workers and the number of available positions, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The author questions the sustainability of traditional industries, predicting potential business closures if the workforce continues to shift towards remote and digital work.
A key point made is that the minimal wage disparity between employment and unemployment benefits ( $11.22 per hour for standard work vs.$ 11.42 per hour for unemployment) is discouraging people from returning to work.
The author expresses a belief that people are increasingly seeking paths of least resistance, such as working from home or relying on unemployment, to live their best lives.
The article concludes by prompting readers to engage in a discussion about the future of work, suggesting that a new revolution in the workforce is imminent and that society is redefining what it means to live and work.

Live to Work or Work to Live — An American Crisis

By nature, people need incentives to work. So many of us today are wondering “what is the point”? Why go to work if I am going to struggle to survive?

Why go out into a labor force and blunder when you can make money from a few hours on the computer anywhere?

We live in an age in which there are so many emerging opportunities in the workforce that are putting the standard employment options to shame.

Teenagers are making ridiculous earnings from creating NFTs, investments in Cryptocurrency, and play to earn gaming. With this evolution, many adults follow the trend and work from home.

Not only are opportunities increasing, but the inflation rate continues to climb. They are driving up the cost of goods and services across this nation. How can anyone expect to feed their families?

If half of the workforce is working but not making the means to survive, they will naturally look for a solution.

This will put construction businesses, carpentry, window installation services, drivers, landscaping, and factory workers all out of business. If you can’t find the workforce to support your business, your business won’t survive.

Today’s workforce is a topic that needs to be brought to life. First of all, it is a Crisis in itself. The amount of available workers vs. available positions has been highlighted through the Covid 19 pandemic.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, and Data Commons, the current Unemployment rate in February of 2022 in the US is 3.5%. A staggering 5.7 Million are currently unemployed VS. the 7.9 million jobs are now available across the US. How is this possible?

There are so many different factors today affecting why so many are still out of work. The pandemic is slowing down, yet so many are still collecting unemployment checks in a struggle to survive the ongoing economy.

Inflation is a trend preventing people from accepting available positions due to the wages offered for public work.

It has left so many questioning why they would accept a place to go back to work when their pay in unemployment is equal to, if not more than what they would be compensated for going back to work.

The average wage of the standard worker across the US today is $11.22 per hour.

Today's average salary of an individual working from home in the US is $18.93 per hour.

The average wage for an individual living off unemployment across the US today is $11.42 per hour.

When 0.20 cents per hour is the difference on average between a working individual and an unemployed individual, What is the point in going back to work?

Why not try to find a job working from the comfort of your home or sit on unemployment?

This is the mentality. People want to take the path of least resistance and live their best life.

I have heard so many excuses and reasons for people not getting back to work that my head is spinning, and my heart is hurting for those who want to live.

I want to hear your thoughts on this issue.

What do you believe will be the new way of earning a living?

Are we on the verge of a new revolution in the workforce?

Are we redefining what it means to live and work?

By Sabrina Johnson — If you want to read more from me, please check out my article in “Build Your Wealth.” https://readmedium.com/the-wealthy-side-by-sabrina-johnson-97279318a40b

3 Mind Tricks I use to be more Decisive — by Sabrina Johnson

“What Do I Do ?”

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