Everywhere you turn it seems that there is some new, depressing statistic about unemployment, debt, or working conditions in the media. Infographics and charts related to the topic are almost endless, so we decided to boil it down to a simple list of 10 that will probably make you want to tear your hair out. If you’re already a cynical person, you might just want to skip this and move on to something lighter, but if you’re curious, read on.
10. The “top 1%” hype visualized
That “1% has everything and we have nothing” feeling that was best embodied during the Occupy Wall Street movement isn’t nearly as much of a myth as some people will have you believe. In fact, the real income disparity in America is frightening, especially when you consider that it’s probably only going to get worse.
9. This is how many minimum wage jobs you’d need just to pay rent
If you’ve ever worked for minimum wage, you know that it really sucks. Even in the cheapest states in the country, working less than 70 hours per week at a variety of minimum wage jobs will barely cover your rent payment. Note that this fails to include a budget for other necessities like, uh I don’t know…food?
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8. Things that men get to invest in, but women don’t
The wage gap in America causes women to make an average of $10,000 less than men every single year of their lives. With more disposable income in their pockets, men are able to more quickly save money, invest in property, and schmooze at social events that help them get that next big promotion.
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Original on Center for American Progress
7. A college degree is worth about as much as getting a job at the post office
When people tell you that an undergraduate degree just isn’t the same as it used to be, they’re not kidding. These days, you’ll be lucky if it helps you make a dent in your massive student loan debt, and if not, why not take a job at the post office while it’s still around?
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6. The great recession in employment numbers
It sounds great that unemployment is now under 8%, but that number doesn’t quite tell you the whole story. Of the jobs recovered since the 2008 recession began, most have come back as part time or contract positions which means fewer Americans will have access to healthcare, retirement accounts, and savings. Image may be NSFW.
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Original on Zero Hedge
5. Facebook offers new dads 40% more time off than Microsoft offers new moms
Some of the most cutting edge technology companies offer great time off for women and men, but it seems that some of them are a bit stuffier than others. For example, women at Microsoft will only get 12 weeks of paid time off after having a child, while men at Facebook can have up to 17. Image may be NSFW.
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Original on Mother Jones
4. Labor Day was created because children had to go on strike to demand an improved 11 hour workday
In sad yet historical news, we should note that the average worker today does have some perks that workers 150 years ago didn’t. For example, children working 12 hour days in Paterson, New Jersey finally had enough, and tried to strike in order to cut their workday down to 11 hours. It took 60 years for the Federal Government to react, but eventually Labor Day came into being.
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3. Your highest paid state employee is likely an athletic coach
You’d think that our abysmal education system would prompt states to pump more money into hiring top academic talent and cutting back a bit on the unnecessary things like basketball. Yeah, keep dreaming. Here are the highest paid state employees in America.
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2. Banks pay an 800% lower interest rate than you do for your student loan interest
Look, I totally get that there is risk involved in funding a student’s education, but should the Federal Government really mandate a rate that’s 8x higher than what banks pay?
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Banking on Education infographic via Democracy for America
1. And nobody is happy at work anymore
If you were happy before, you’re probably shaking your fist at the computer screen by now, but that’s okay. Lots of people are unhappy along with you.
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