CBS News/New York Times/Kaiser Family Foundation Poll

For release: December 11, 2014

6:30 pm ET
An In-Depth Look at Non-Employed Americans
November 1125, 2014

CBS News, the New York Times and the Kaiser Family Foundation have collaborated to conduct
a survey of Americans who arent working defined as prime working age people (age 25 to 54)
who are either unemployed and looking for work, or who are not looking to work. While the
economy may be improving, according to government statistics Americans are not working in
the numbers they used to: in the last few decades, the percentage of men (and to a lesser
extent, women) who are working has dropped. The poll seeks to shed light on why Americans
arent working, whether that is by choice or not, how they make ends meet and what it would
take to get them working.

Most non-employed Americans want to be working (57%), particularly those who

consider themselves temporarily unemployed (82%). However, about a third says they
dont want a job right now. A majority is unhappy about not having a job and many say
their employment situation is a source of stress. Among the temporarily unemployed,
46% say not working is a major source of stress for them.

For 46% of those who used to work full-time, it was their own choice to leave their last
job, but for others it was their employers decision (27%), or it was due to a disability or
health issue (21%). But among the temporarily unemployed, just 30% said it was their
choice. About seven in ten homemakers chose to leave their last job.

Many non-employed, which includes both homemakers and the disabled, cite health
reasons or family responsibilities as a major reason they are not working. For those who
are temporarily unemployed, lack of good jobs is most often cited as a major reason.

52% of the non-employed who previously worked have been unable to replace the
income that was lost. Many have borrowed money from family or friends, taken money
out of savings, and postponed getting health care because of the cost.

Those who have been actively looking for a job will make sacrifices in order to find a new
job. Majorities would work in a different field (86%), work nights or weekends (75%), or
take a job that pays minimum wage (61%).

Who They Are

Who are the non-employed of prime working age, and why are they not in the labor force? A
third is temporarily unemployed (out of work and looking for a job), another three in ten are
homemakers, 11% are students and 8% say they are retired.
Current Situation
(among non-employed)
Temporarily unemployed
33%
Homemaker
30
Student
11
Retired
8
Disabled (volunteered)
16

Women make up two-thirds of the prime working age non-employed (67%); nearly half consider
themselves to be homemakers (44%). In contrast, men (44%) are far more likely than women
(27%) to see themselves as temporarily unemployed.
For a third of the non-employed, disability prevents them from working now. When asked
directly whether they have a disability that will prevent them from working for at least the next
six months, 34% say they do. (Just 16% voluntarily state they are disabled when asked about
their work situation.)
Disability that Prevents You from Working for Next 6 Months?
(among non-employed)
Yes
34%
No
65
Most want to work. More than half of the non-employed age 25 to 54 say they currently want a
job, including 34% who want to work full time (23% want a part time position). More than four in
five who are temporarily unemployed say they want a job, and most (73%) want full-time work.
Still, 34% of non-employed people say they dont currently want a job.
Homemakers (97% of whom are women in the poll) are less likely to want a job right now: 43%
want to work, but 53% do not. Among homemakers who want a job, more than six in ten would
prefer to work part-time. Half of those with a disability want a job, but 21% cant work due to
their disability or injury.
Do You Currently Want a Job?
Temporarily
All
Unemployed Homemakers Disabled
57% 82%
43%
50%
34
15
53
29

Yes
No
Want a job but cant
due to disability/other factors

21

But more than half of those who dont want to work right now expect they will do so in the future,
including most homemakers. Disabled Americans are less likely to expect to work in the future.
Think You Will Want a Job Someday?
(Among those who dont want a job now)
All
Homemakers
Yes
58%
65%
No
35
27

Disabled
34%
57

Some have been pounding the pavement. 43% of the non-employed have looked for a job
within the past year, including 26% who have searched in the last month. Among those who
currently want a job, 64% have looked for a job in the last year, as have 69% of those who are
temporarily unemployed.
Still, for 57% of the non-employed, its been over a year since they last looked for a job (38%) or
they have never looked (19%). Among those who are temporarily unemployed, 31% either
havent looked for a job in over a year, or have never done so.
Last Time Looked/Applied for a Job?
(among non-employed)
2

Within last 4 weeks

4 weeks-6 months ago
6 months-1 year
One year+
Never

All
26%
10
7
38
19

Currently
Want a job
41%
15
8
24
12

Temporarily
Unemployed
48%
12
9
21
10

Why arent these non-employed Americans working? About four in ten cite health problems or a
disability (41%) and family responsibilities (40%) as a major reason for not working.
But for others, the hurdles are work-related. 33% say lack of good jobs is a major reason they
are not currently working, and another 21% say a lack of education and job skills is a major
reason. 17% cite jobs going overseas, and 15% cite jobs being replaced by technology as major
reasons they arent working.
Just 20% say not needing the income is a major reason they are not currently working; 58% say
that is not a reason.
Reasons Not Currently Working
(among non-employed)
Major Minor Not a reason
Health problems/disability
41% 10
49
Family responsibilities
40% 13
45
Lack of good jobs available
33% 15
50
Lack of education/skills for jobs
21% 17
62
Dont need the income
20% 18
58
Jobs going overseas
17%
9
71
Jobs being replaced by technology 15% 15
68
Discrimination
14%
8
77
Among the non-employed who call themselves homemakers (97% of whom are women), nearly
three-quarters (74%) say family responsibilities are a major reason they are currently not
working. No other reason ranks as high among this group.
For those who are temporarily unemployed, the lack of good jobs available (48%) is most often
said to be a major reason given as to why they dont have a job. Health problems (33%) and
family responsibilities (33%) are lesser obstacles to work for this group.
Major Reason Not Currently Working
Temp unemployed
Lack of good jobs available
48%
Health problems/disability
33%
Family responsibilities
33%
Lack of education/skills for jobs
22%
Discrimination
22%
Jobs going overseas
23%

Want a job
46%
38%
41%
26%
19%
24%

Major Reason Not Currently Working (contd)

Temp unemployed
Want a job
Jobs being replaced by technology 20%
19%
Dont need the income
21%
20%
Nearly all of the non-employed have held a full time job in the past, but most have not worked
for a while. A majority of those who previously worked full-time say it has been more than two
years since they last worked. For 46%, it was their own decision to leave their last job, 27% say
it was their employers decision or their company downsized, and another one in five (21%) left
their job because of a disability, injury or health issue. About seven in ten homemakers say it
was their decision to leave their job; just 30% of those who are temporarily unemployed and
27% of the disabled say the same.
And for many households, the loss of income has likely had an impact. Among those who
worked full time in the past, 45% of them say they were the highest wage earner in their
household; rising to 52% among those who consider themselves temporarily unemployed. 54%
of those who used to work held blue collar jobs.
Past Work Experience of the Non-Employed
Previously had a full-time job
Yes
87%
No
13
How long since last employment?
(Had previous full time job)
More than two years
Between 1 and 2 years
6-11 months
2-5 months
Less than 1 month

60%
16
8
11
5

Were you highest wage earner in HH?

(Had previous full time job)
Yes
45%
No
54
Last job was
(Had previous full time job)
White collar
Blue collar

37%
54

Decision to leave your last job was

(Had previous full time job)
Your decision/family reasons
46%
Employers decision/downsize/temp 27
Disability/health/injury/Dr. decision 21

The Non-Employed: The Impact of Not Working

More than half of non-employed Americans are unhappy about not working, but that is
especially true for those who consider themselves temporarily unemployed (75%), and those
with a disability (72%).
On the other hand, most of those who identify themselves as homemakers are happy about not
working (71%).
How Do You Feel about Not Working?
(among non-employed)
Actively looking for job
Total Temp unemployed
Yes
No
Disabled
Mostly happy 40% 21%
29% 50%
22%
Mostly unhappy 55 75
68
45
72

Homemakers
71%
27

Not working has caused both financial and emotional set-backs for some. About half of nonemployed Americans say their current employment situation is a source of some stress. Even
more of those who are temporarily unemployed say not working is stressful for them.

Major
Minor
Not

Total
30%
19
50

Employment Situation a Source of Stress?

(among non-employed)
Actively looking for job
Temp unemployed
Yes
No
Disabled
46%
39% 23%
43%
21
24
14
21
32
34
62
34

Homemakers
9%
16
73

For some non-employed Americans, their current employment situation has adversely impacted
their physical and mental health. About a third says not working has been bad for their mental
health (34%), their physical health (31%), and their sleep (30%).
One possible advantage of being non-employed: 51% of parents say it has been good for their
relationship with their children, rising to 75% among those who are homemakers. But among the
temporarily unemployed, just 27% say it has been good for their relationship with their kids.
Impact of Your Employment Situation On
(among non-employed)
Good Bad No impact
Your mental health
22% 34
42
You physical health
24% 31
44
Your sleep
17% 30
52
Relationship w/ spouse/partner
23% 22
52
Relationship w/ your children*
51% 17
31
Your relationships w/ friends
18% 14
66
(*asked of parents)

Impact of Job Loss

Being out of work is challenging for those who previously worked full-time. 30% say it has been
a hardship that has caused major life changes for their family, and another 35% say it has been
difficult. Americans who are temporarily unemployed and those with a disability are even more
likely to say they have suffered hardship due to their job loss.
Impact of Your Employment Situation on Family
(Had previous full-time job)
Total Temp unemployed
Disabled
Hardship & major life changes
30% 37%
48%
Difficult, but no major life changes
35
39
27
Not much effect
34
23
24
Outside of looking for a job, how are those who have stopped working spending their time?
Nearly nine in 10 who previously held a full-time job have been spending more time caring for
their children since they stopped working. In addition, majorities report spending more time
doing household chores (57%) as well as leisure activities like reading, watching TV, and surfing
the web (57%).
Time Spent Since Stopped Working
(Had previous full-time job)
More Less Same
Caring for your children*
88%
2
10
Doing household chores
57% 13
27
Reading/TV/Internet
57% 15
26
Caring for parent/spouse/family
45%
9
29
Exercising
30% 31
32
Volunteering
29% 22
33
(*asked of parents)

Finances
While 51% of non-employed Americans feel financially secure, nearly as many (48%) dont.
Perhaps not surprisingly, non-employed Americans feel less financially secure than Americans
overall.
But those who are temporarily unemployed feel especially insecure about their finances (62%),
as do 61% of those who are disabled. In contrast, 71% of homemakers feel financially secure.

Very secure
Somewhat secure
Somewhat insecure
Very insecure

How Financially Secure Do you Feel?

--- Among non-employed --Total Temp Unemployed Disabled
Homemakers
18% 10%
11%
28%
33
26
28
43
23
25
27
16
25
37
34
13

All
Americans
24%
49
18
8

The poll suggests that those who formerly held full time jobs have struggled to replace their lost
incomes, and many have borrowed money and made compromises to make ends meet.
52% of those who previously worked full time say they have not been able to replace the
income theyve lost. 46% have replaced at least a little of that income, including just 17% who
have been able to replace all or most of it.
6

Since You Stopped Working, Has Your Household Been Able to Replace that Income?
(Had previous full-time job)
Yes, replaced all/most
17%
Yes, replaced some
17
Yes, replaced a little
12
No, not been able to replace
52
Four in 10 have borrowed money from their family or friends (41%), and many have dipped into
their savings (37%).
A third has been contacted by a collection agency regarding their bills (35%), and some have
received food from a non-profit organization (29%).
37% say they have postponed getting health care because of the cost.
Since Stopped Working, Have You.
(Had previous full-time job)
Yes
No
Borrowed money from family/friends
41% 59
Postponed getting health care b/c of cost
37% 62
Taken $ out of savings, including retirement
37% 63
Contacted by collection agency re: bills
35% 65
Received food from non-profit
29% 71
Moved in with family/friend to save $
26% 74
Increased credit card debt to pay bills
25% 75
Missed mortgage/rent payment
20% 79
Had utilities turned off
13% 87
Since they have stopped working full-time, a segment of these non-employed have found some
replacement income from sources like disability and SSI benefits (19%), money from family
and/or friends (18%), food stamps (16%), and income from their spouse (14%). 11% have
worked temporary or odd jobs.
New/Increased Sources of Income
(Had previous full-time job)
Disability, SSI benefits
19%
Money from family/friends
18%
Food stamps
16%
Income from spouse/other in HH
14%
Temporary work/odd jobs
11%
Money from savings/retirement
10%
Unemployment benefits
2%
Spousal/child support
3%

Getting Back to Work

24% of non-employed Americans think its very likely theyll be working in six months; that figure
rises to 39% among those who are temporarily unemployed. Their outlook is even more positive
when asked if they think they will be working in the next year or in five years.
Very Likely You Will Be Working in
(Among non-employed)
Total
Temp unemployed
6 months
24%
39%
1 years
32%
53%
5 years
46%
63%
But nearly half (47%) of non-employed Americans say there are available jobs in their area that
they are not willing to take. 46% say that is not the case.
Are There Jobs in Your Area You Could Get But Are Not Willing to Take?
(among non-employed)
Total
Want a job
Temp unemployed
Yes
47%
46%
48%
No
46
49
49
The poll asked non-employed Americans who are actively seeking a job what sacrifices they
would make in order to get a new job. Among those who have looked for a job in the last year,
large majorities are willing to take an entry-level job in a different field (86%), return to school or
enter a job training program (81%), and work non-traditional hours such as nights and
weekends (75%). Nearly two-thirds are willing to take a job that pays 10% less than their last
job, or take a job that pays minimum wage.
There is less willingness for these non-employed Americans to move to a different city (49%),
take a job that pays 25% less than their last one (49%), or take a job that requires a one-hour
commute each way (42%).
In Order to Find a New Job, Willing or Not Willing To
(Looked for Job in the Last Year)
Willing
Not willing
Take entry-level job in a different field
86%
13
Return to school or job training program
81%
19
Work non-traditional hours such as nights/weekends
75%
24
Take a job that pays 10% less than your last job*
64%
35
Take a job that pays minimum wage
61%
39
Take a job that pays 25% less than your last job*
49%
50
Move to a different city
49%
48
Take a job that requires an hour commute each way
42%
57
*previously had full-time job

More than half of non-employed Americans who have previously worked say they would prefer
that their next job be in a different field than their previous job.

Want Your Next Job to Be

(Had previous full-time job)
Same field
36%
Different field
56
Among those who would like to stay in the same field, most think they will be able to find a job in
that field.
Motivations for Those Not Actively Looking for a Job
38% of non-employed Americans have not looked for a job in the last year and 19% have never
looked for a job, but many might be persuaded to take a job if the price was right. About eight in
10 of this group say they would be willing and able to accept a job that pays more than their last
job.
Willing and Able to Take a Job that Pays 10% More than Last Job
(Had a full-time Job But Havent Looked for Job in the Last Year/Never)
Yes
79%
No
13
What would it take to get those who havent been especially active in looking for a job back into
the work force? Many say they are much more likely to consider going to work if options like
working from home (43%), flexible hours (38%), and working in an interesting field (36%) are
possible. These aspects outrank a job that provides childcare, or one that includes opportunities
for advancement.
How Likely To Consider a Job that
(Havent Looked for Job in the Last Year/Never)
Much more
Somewhat more
Likely
Likely
Allows work from home
43%
26
Offers flexible hours
38%
29
Offered a job in interesting field
36%
30
Provides opportunities for
advancement
32%
25
Provides childcare*
29%
15
*among parents

Not more
Likely
28
31
32
41
55

Non-Employed Americans with a Disability

34% of non-employed Americans say they have a disability that prevents them from doing any
kind of work for the next six months. Most are unhappy about not working, and 50% want to
have a job.
Do You Currently Want a Job?
(Among non-employed who have a disability)
Yes
50%
No
29
Want a job but cant
due to disability/other factors 21
Most of those who currently have a disability are receiving disability benefits.
9

Do You Get Income from Disability Benefits?

(Among non-employed who have a disability)
Yes
69%
No
31
27% of the disabled non-employed say there are accommodations a potential employer could
make so its possible for them to work, but two in three dont think thats possible.
Are There Accommodations an Employer Could Make So Its Possible for You to Work?
(Among non-employed who have a disability)
Yes
27%
No
68
Health and Insurance
While a majority of non-employed Americans say their health is good or better, nearly four in ten
(37%) rate their physical health as fair or poor, and 26% rate their mental health as fair or poor.

Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor

Health Assessment
Physical health
13%
21
28
22
15

Mental Health
23%
21
29
17
9

One in four non-employed Americans says they are without health insurance.
Have Health Insurance?
Yes
74%
No
25
And while 35% of the uninsured lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs, more than
half were uninsured before they left their last job.
How Did You Become Uninsured?
(Among uninsured who previously had a full-time job)
Result of losing last job
35%
Already uninsured
57
Those with health insurance obtain it through public programs like Medicare or Medicaid or their
spouse.

10

How Do You Get Your Insurance?

(Among insured)
Through spouses employer 36%
Medicare/Medicaid
44
Health plan/marketplace
15
Overall Outlook
Even though many feel some financial insecurity now, they remain optimistic about the future of
the next generation of their family 53% say life for the next generation of their family will be
better than today.

Will be better
Will be worse
Same

Future of Next Generation of Your Own Family

Non-Employed
All Americans
53%
45%
19
24
24
29

However, they are not as optimistic about the future of the next generation of Americans.

Will be better
Will be worse
Same

Future of Next Generation of Americans

Non-Employed
All Americans
27%
26%
39
45
28
28

Non-Employed Men and Women

There are some important differences between men and women who are non-employed.
Women make up two-thirds of the prime working age non-employed (67%); nearly half consider
themselves to be homemakers (44%). In contrast, men (44%) are far more likely than women
(27%) to see themselves as temporarily unemployed.

Temporarily unemployed
Homemaker
Student
Retired
Disabled (vol.)

Current Situation
(among non-employed)
Total
Men
33%
44%
30
2
11
14
8
16
16
22

Women
27%
44
10
4
12

Majorities of both men (64%) and women (54%) would like to have a job either full-time or
part-time -- including 42% of women who consider themselves homemakers.
Men who were previously employed are more likely than women to have been affected by the
recent recession. Most men 56% - say they have stopped working since the recession began
in December 2007, while most women (52%) have been unemployed since before that time.
Most men who were previously employed (66%) used to be the highest-wage earners in their
households; this is true of just 34% of previously employed women.
Moreover, men are unhappier about not working than women. 71% of non-employed men say
they are unhappy about not working, compared to 47% of women. Men are also more likely
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than women to say their employment situation is a source of stress and that they feel financially
insecure.
Men vs. Women: Feelings About Not Working
(among non-employed)
Men
Mostly unhappy about not working
71%
Employment situation is a source of stress
54%
Feel financially insecure
54%

Women
47%
45%
45%

For men who are temporarily unemployed, the top major reason why they arent working is a
lack of good jobs available (45%), followed by health problems (34%) and discrimination. A lack
of good jobs is also the top major reason among unemployed women.
Major Reason Not Currently Working
(Among temporarily unemployed)
Men
Women
Lack of good jobs available
45%
51%
Health problems/disability
34%
31%
Discrimination
27%
18%
Jobs going overseas
24%
22%
Dont need the income
24%
18%
Lack of education/skills for jobs
22%
23%
Family responsibilities
22%
41%
Jobs being replaced by technology

16%

24%

Overall, most men who have been actively looking for a job in the past year are willing to do a
host of things in order to get back to work. Eight in 10 would work non-traditional hours, return
to school, or take an entry level position in a new field. Most would also take a pay cut up to
25% of what they used to make, move to different city, endure an hour commute each way, and
even take a job that earns minimum wage.
In Order to Find a New Job, Are You Willing or Not To
(Men Who Looked for a Job in the Last Year)
Willing
Not Willing
Work non-traditional hours such as nights/weekends
83%
16
Return to school or job training program
83%
17
Take entry-level job in a different field
79%
21
Take a job that pays 10% less than your last job*
66%
31
Move to a different city
63%
35
Take a job that pays 25% less than your last job*
61%
38
Take a job that requires an hour commute each way
61%
39
Take a job that pays minimum wage
55%
44
*previously had full-time job

12

Demographic Profile
Demographics of the Non-employed
Men
33%
Women
67
Homemakers
44%
Age 25-29
30-39
40-49
50-54

16%
30
32
21

High school grad or less

Some college
College grad

54%
26
20

Income less than $25k

$25k-$50k
$50k-$100k
$100k+

48%
22
15
8

Never married
Living with partner
Married
Divorced/widowed/separated

22%
10
51
18

Parents
48%
Mothers/homemakers
22%
______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone November 11--25, 2014 among 1,002 adults nationwide between
the ages of 25 and 54 who are currently not employed full time or part time. Phone numbers were dialed
from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. Interviews were conducted in English and
Spanish.
Data collection was conducted by SSRS of Media, PA. Respondents were reached in one of three ways:
(1) random-digit dialing to landline and cell phones specifically for the Non-Employed Poll; (2) As part of
the SSRS omnibus poll, which also utilizes random digit dialing to reach respondents; (3) Callbacks to
respondents who had previously been interviewed by SSRS and met the age and employment criteria of
this poll.
The combined results have been weighted to adjust for variation in the sample relating to, gender, race,
Hispanic origin, marital status, age, education, phone usage, Census region, and employment status. In
addition, the sample was weighted to the distribution of the target population, based on the demographics
of respondents completing the SSRS omnibus poll in 2014, who met the Non-Employed Poll definitions of
age and employment status.
The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage
points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure
of the National Council on Public Polls.

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