Worklessness

[jen337]

Seen this political term coming up a few times recently in the media and elsewhere and I don’t like it. Worklessness seems suspiciously (deliberately?) close to “worthlessness”. As if it’s implying those who aren’t, or are unable to work are worthless? What’s wrong with “unemployed”.

I can honestly say I have never heard that term used.

I've never heard it either.

Can you put the phrase into context? I'm trying to imagine it being used in a sentence?

I think it’s fairly new but I’m noticing it more often.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/03/12/britain-worklessness-crisis-fuelled-young-people/

I haven't heard it, but I suspect they want unemployed to be only those who are signing on. I was made redundant last year, but as yet, I've not signed on (nor found a new job.) Though I think I'm economically inactive, bug perhaps workless.

I don't care, but I bet some statistician does.

From a policy perspective there is a big difference between those who are “unemployed” - i.e. actually looking for work - and the total number of people who aren’t working.

But agree the choice of “worklessness” does seem intentionally designed to question their value.

Because unemployment implies there are not jobs. That’s how unemployment has traditionally been reported.

Whereas what have now is record jobs, record migration to fill the jobs. And 10 millions people of working age on out of work benefits. An absolute refusal to work and find every reason under the sun to justify it. It gives ‘the dog ate my homework’ a whole new meaning.

It isn't new to me, is say it has been around quite a few years in the sector

i am not sure their statistics are correct and anyway it is a bad choice of word imo

Jobs have become insecure now.

I know someone who was dismissed from a few jobs due to high sickness rate.

He has Autism and ADHD and is looking for another job. I think he will struggle to secure employment.

This is not a new word, its been used often in the past. Where they are talking about attracting early retirees back to the work place, someone needs to start talking about why people are looking to get out of work as soon as they can. I am leaving my career after more than 30 years, I'm really sad about it but I can't continue feeling like a husk at the end of the day. The impact on my well being is too much. I will not go back unless it is to a niche , bespoke protected arrangement and that doesnt exist. Its fine for work to be hard and a challenge but for it to be all consuming and physically and mentally impossible is not ok .

Unless you earn an increasingly higher salary work no longer pays the cost of living. You can't just go and work hard full time and have a decent life outside it. You are still on the poverty line and many youngsters can't even move out or have a family on the rates they earn.

I can't afford to but I would retire in a heartbeat if I could. I'm approaching 50.

They have to find a way of aligning wages and work so you feel its worth the graft.

why are they including students?

There are now almost 2.6 million people who say their studies are the reason they are not seeking a job – a record high.

It describes the lazy gits who do not want to work, rather than those unable to find work or do work

Because worklessness includes those who have no intention, desire or need to work but who are still capable of adding to tax revenue. In particular, I think they are pissed off with everyone who retired early during COVID

I am in this statistic. SAHM but studying part time with the OU. I can't do my degree full time for several different reasons so it will take minimum six years to complete.

There's no rush.

In particular, I think they are pissed off with everyone who retired early during COVID

i think so, but they have changed tack today by blaming the younger group,
not even a mention of long covid in the article

Agree it's ludicrous that the figures start from age 16. Aside from 2 8-week summer jobs my 19 year old has been "workless" for 3.5 years and would no doubt be included in the figures. There needs to be some different analysis for full time students, particularly sixth formers.

@Marmalade71

A generation ago it was normal for the pretty much all 6th formers to have pt work, university students worked when I went, either pt in term time or during the holidays (I packed in an automotive parts factory 5-11pm twice a week). My kids were both "too busy, or needed to protect their mental health" to work none of their friends worked either, not even babysitting. Their dad gave them extra money when I told them to work!

But what of it? Some economically inactive are doing so for various personal reasons. I choose not to so that I can study and raise a family at this particular time in my life.

Working is not a priority at the moment but I want to return to the workforce once the DC are all independent.

You sound hacked off that not everyone is exactly the same and working to pay tax. Not all economically inactive individuals are worthless and have fulfilling activities they do daily for the family or studying/caring for elderly relatives. All valuable.

I think it's supposed to cover the unemployed, who are seeking work and available for it, and the economically inactive, who aren't (eg SAHPs). The reasons for people not being in work matter.

You're the one reading it as similar to worthlessness. It's you making that connection.

I suppose if they want to get more people into work then they need to look at the barriers of those who are choosing not to.

When I was at college the kids who worked were the ones who were able to drive to those entry level jobs that would happily mop up the inexperienced workers at awkward times of their choosing.

There aren't many teens who can stomach the car insurance costs now and those who can probably don't have a pressing need to top up their pocket money.

DS almost 17yo applied for McDonald's recently after seeing the job advert. He got a response saying that they aren't looking for anyone at the moment. Why advertise the job then?! What chance do young people have if they are getting turned down for jobs?

Travel costs isn't stopping DS getting work as he has a Young Scot card for free bus travel which does help a lot especially if it's local work.

The article is a bit odd. It complains that there are 3 million 16-25 not in work and says there are 2.6 million saying the reason is studies which is a record high. Well for a start the 16 year old cohort is a bit of a baby boom and lots of sixth form colleges are full for the first time in years. The nature of part time work, the changing expectations of college and driving costs will all impact the liklihood of work in the younger end.

But on your workless point. It probably helps statitocians. But wonder about reframing it as workfree - especially for those over 50s.