Underemployed compound California's jobless troubles

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

San Francisco resident Elena Duran represents an unfortunate job trend that isn't reflected in the unemployment rate.

For years, Duran has been a full-time server at a downtown hotel. But the recession has cut so deeply into business that her hours were cut to half time in July.

"It's better than a layoff, but it still requires a lot of sacrifices," said Duran, who, along with her working husband, supports three sons.

Because she works, Duran doesn't count in California's 12.2 percent unemployment rate.

But her situation is captured by a broader measure, the underemployment rate, which, in addition to the jobless, includes people who could get only part-time work as well as those who want jobs but were too discouraged to look.

The state Employment Development Department estimates that this underemployment rate hit 21.9 percent in September.

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