Part 3/12:
This increase isn't just a sign of more employment; it reflects economic distress. The percentage of multiple job holders now stands at 5.5%, a figure reminiscent of post-2009 during the last recession. Coupled with the fact that approximately 28.5 million Americans are employed part-time—also a record high—it's evident that many individuals are working these extra jobs out of necessity, not choice. For most, these are survival strategies rather than ambitions, highlighting the depth of ongoing economic struggles.