This chart just blew me away. It represents how many hours a minimum wage employee needs to work in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Nowhere in the United States can it be done in 40-hours.
Most employees spend half of their working hours just paying the rent. That doesn’t leave much left for things like food, electricity, water, etc.
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The National Low Income Housing Coalition, which supplied this graphic, has lots of very interesting information on their site. I hope you’ll check it out when you have a chance.
Hi! I'm Sharlyn Lauby, an HR pro turned consultant. I created the HR Bartender blog so people would have a friendly place to discuss workplace issues. And since, over the years, I've developed an appreciation for the culinary arts (translation: I'm a Foodie) you'll see some of that here too. So, pull up a stool and order your favorite drink . . . the bar is always open.
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In today’s economy, a 40 hour work week just can’t cover things. It is not uncommon to hear about someone doing the full time 9-5 and having a part time at night or on weekends just to have that cushion for peace of mind.
Thanks for the comment John. I wonder if the situation is more “making ends meet” than “having a cushion”.