Seems that the long term unemployed have increased in the U.S., according to the latest report, but that people working part-time for economic reasons was unchanged and in Australia employment has risen. This I would think is good and bad news. The stabilization of those in part-time work for economic reasons probably indicates that the general household has hit a stage where the economic recession isn’t affecting them as deeply and that’s a really good sign for the big picture, especially if it remains that way. The rising employment in Australia, that wasn’t hit so hard by the economic downshift, is also a positive sign for economic change.

However, the fact that long term unemployment has risen means we need to remain vigilant. It’s easy for statistics to show the big picture and for individuals to be forgotten. The signs look good, some economists are saying, but we who work with the long term unemployed know that unemployment is more than just a status, it comes with a variety of psychological and motivational challenges. So, while the news is encouraging for many, there is also an increasing population who may be forgotten in the optimism. We also can’t forget the under employed or those just working to cope in this economy, who when included, take the figure towards 15.4%.

I don’t want to be pessimistic, it is good news, but maybe as we talk to people we can share the bigger picture so they are not forgotten and the assistance they require or request is kept on the social agenda. Times of change allow a greater degree of culture shaping to occur.

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Photo by Stephen Pierzchala

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