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"Scarcity" and why we don't have a 15-hour workweek

Feb 27, 2020
Boston College professor Juliet Schor explains why the U.S. has never had anything close to a 15-hour workweek.
English economist John Maynard Keynes, center, thought his grandchildren would be working 15-hour workweeks.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Meet Steve, 55, professional driver

Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Steve’s job as “production, transportation, and material moving” along with butchers, sewing machine operators and furniture makers, to name a few. One in 10 workers in the U.S. labor force are in this category.
Steve Fields
Paul Andrews

Meet Rocio, 24, construction worker

Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Rocio’s job most broadly as “natural resources, construction and maintenance occupations.” One in 10 workers work jobs in that category.
Ben Hethcoat

Meet Kate, 24, new account representative at a bank

Feb 18, 2020
Kate's work is part of the "Sales and Office Occupations," category, like 20% of the U.S. labor force. She has an associate's degree.
Matt Staver

Meet Gaile, 70, convenience store cashier

Feb 18, 2020
Gaile is part of the sales industry and works part time. She's part of the largest growing segment of workers — those over 55.
Melissa Lyttle

Meet Stephanie, 49, executive director of a movie theater

Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize her under “management, professional, and related occupations," along with four in 10 U.S. workers. This category also includes teachers, dentists, CEOs and a wide range of other professions.
Amiee Stubbs

Meet Neil, 34, bartender

Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Neil's job as a “service occupation,” along with a wide range of other workers. Two in 10 people work jobs in that category.
Thomas Patterson

For public good, not for profit.

Meet Ashley, 34, hair stylist

Feb 18, 2020
Ashley is part of the service industry and like 80% of the U.S. labor force, works full time.
Arlie Sommer

Meet Michael, 31, accountant

Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize his job under “management, professional, and related occupations," along with four out of 10 U.S. workers.
Peter Balonon-Rosen

What if the U.S. labor force were 10 people?

Feb 18, 2020
Our re-imagining of the 164 million people who make this economy work.