The term “underemployment” has three related meanings. In one sense, it refers to a situation in which someone with excellent job qualifications (资格) is working in a position that requires less qualifications, as for instance in the case of a lawyer driving a school bus. In the second sense, it means working part-time when one would prefer to be working full-time. In the third sense, it is a form of overstaffing (人浮于事) in which employees are not being fully made use of.
All forms of underemployment have effect on the economy a
nd the health of the business community. Long-term underemployment can also cover up the truth behind the employment situations. When nations collect employment statistics, they usually come up with a base number of “unemployed” individuals, using that number to judge the health of the job market. This number does not include part-time workers looking for full-time jobs, as they are considered employed, and it also doesn’t reflect workers who are underpaid, considering their qualifications.
