Over Half of US Workers are Looking to Work Additional Hours to Keep Pace With Inflation
Jose Nino
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Over half of United States residents polled by Qualtrics said they have plans to work additional hours to keep up with the rising prices for basic necessities.
This survey was published earlier this month. 57% indicated that they are looking to work overtime or additional shifts. On the other hand, 38% are looking for a second job. Survey responders with children were more likely to pursue extra hours at their present jobs (64%) and look for additional job opportunities (47%).
This poll comes at a time when Americans are coping with the highest inflation rate in decades. The annual inflation rate in September was 8.2%. Earlier in 2022, inflation nearly reached 9%.
According to the Qualtrics poll, 64% of respondents said they are having issues paying for their living expenses, more so than in 2021.
Although wages have climbed upwards during most of the recovery phase of the Wuhan virus recession, average earnings fell by 3% over the past year when adjustments are made for inflation, per Labor Department statistics.
37% of poll respondents stated that they have searched for a more lucrative job — 43% who have children — and roughly 20% moved to more affordable cities or states to cushion the cost of living crisis they’re currently facing.
Inflation is a major problem in the US. It’s an existential crisis for America’s middle class and could make the country poorer across the board.
Republican party leaders need to get serious about addressing this problem or America will grow much poorer as a result of policy inaction. It’s time that GOP leaders grow a spine and move beyond the tired discourse regarding tax cuts and marginal deregulation measures.
The primary culprit behind inflation, the Federal Reserve, must be tackled head on. Any politician that’s not willing to do this, is not serious about putting America First.
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