Aug 28 Would Shortening the Workweek Stimulate the Economy? Question: Why doesn’t the federal government stimulate the economy by reducing the length of the workweek (the number of hours after which employees receive time-and-a-half pay)? Employers would respond by spreading the work load, which means more hiring and fewer… Continue reading
Aug 24 Simon Johnson on Jobs in the Recovery By Business Desk Editor’s note: As part of our continuing series of video conversations with economist Simon Johnson, author of the popular Baseline Scenario blog, which Paul Krugman calls a “must read,” today’s clip features a discussion between Paul and Simon… Continue reading
Jul 28 U.S. Home Prices Rise Slightly, Consumer Confidence Drops Again By Carolyn O'Hara A key measure of the housing market shows that U.S. home prices rose slightly in May, posting the first monthly increase since the summer of 2006. Meanwhile, consumer confidence continued to decline, according to another closely watched measurement. Continue reading
Jul 23 Is Unemployment Any Guide to Future Growth? Question: How reliable is unemployment data as a guide to future economic growth? Paul Solman: Not much at all, I wouldn’t think. For one thing, employment tends to FOLLOW growth — for the obvious… Continue reading
Jul 09 Why Do Tube Drivers Earn More than Bus Drivers in the UK? Robert Frank: A British reader posted the following query on my UK publisher’s web site: “Why do tube drivers get paid so much more than bus drivers?” An American economist trying to field questions about markets in the UK… Continue reading
Jul 05 Reader Response: The Uncounted Unemployed Paul Solman: A provocative response, via the PBS Ombudsman, to Thursday’s story about undercounting unemployment. The emailer said it was okay if her name was posted. I assume that means it’s okay to… Continue reading
Jul 02 Employers Shed More Jobs Than Expected in June, Unemployment Reaches 9.5 Percent By Admin, PBS News Hour Employers cut more jobs than expected in June, nudging the unemployment rate closer to double digits and quashing hopes for a quick economic recovery. Continue reading
Jun 17 Watch Other News: Chrysler to Reopen 7 Plants In other news, Chrysler said it will reopen seven auto plants, and the National Security Administration's domestic surveillance program may have been broader than first realized, according to The New York Times. Continue watching
Jun 05 Job Losses Slow, but Unemployment Hits 9.4% By Admin, PBS News Hour Unemployment jumped to a 25-year high in May, according to new Labor Department numbers, but the rate of job losses slowed with 345,000 jobs lost last month, down from 504,000 in April. Continue reading
Jun 05 What's Your Take on the New Unemployment Numbers? Question: What’s your take on the new unemployment numbers? Paul Solman: First Friday: That time of the month again. Time for the official unemployment number, that is. Today’s is being trumpeted as yet another “green shoot.” A net job loss… Continue reading