Women more likely to work multiple jobs

Part-time employment allows more caregiving time but fewer benefits.

Becky Rowley of Beavercreek until recently worked two jobs. One of them she operates out of her home (it is a baking company). Women are more likely than men to work two jobs, and they are more likely than men to work multiple part-time jobs.

Jim Witmer/Staff Becky Rowley of Beavercreek until recently worked two jobs. One of them she operates out of her home (it is a baking company). Women are more likely than men to work two jobs, and they are more likely than men to work multiple part-time jobs.

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By Cornelius Frolik, Staff Writer Updated 11:04 PM Thursday, August 18, 2011

Thousands of Miami Valley residents work two or more jobs to make ends meet, but women are more likely than men to work multiple jobs, and they are almost twice as likely to have only part-time jobs.

Policy researchers said the downside of working part-time instead of full-time is that workers are less likely to receive health insurance, paid sick time and vacation, and they often have limited opportunities for advancement.

Data obtained by the Daily News from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that about 5.7 percent of Ohio’s labor force in 2010 worked multiple jobs, dipping slightly from 5.9 percent in both 2009 and 2008.

The small sample size at the state level makes it difficult to determine whether the changes were sampling error or economically driven, according to analysts.

Across the country, the rate of multiple jobholders in 2010 fell to 4.9 percent from 5.2 percent the previous year.

These numbers make the state decline consistent with the national trend.

Broken down by gender, about 5.6 percent of women work multiple jobs, compared to 4.8 percent of men, according to the most recent federal labor data. About 32.7 percent of women worked only part-time jobs, compared to 17 percent of men.

Until recently, Becky Rowley, 41, of Beavercreek, worked between 50 and 60 hours each week at two jobs: She oversaw concessions for the Beavercreek Soccer Association and she operates a small, home-based baking business called Sneaky Cat Bakery.

Rowley said she left her job with the soccer association partly because she needed to free up her schedule as she searches for full-time work. Rowley said she originally chose to work part-time a long time ago so she could raise her three children, but she now needs to find full-time employment to supplement her baking income because her family’s finances are stretched thin.

“It’s out of economic necessity,” she said. “For me, it’s a necessity because business is up and down and I need something stable.”

Rowley said her husband, Rob Rowley, was laid off from his printing job last year when his plant closed, and he had to accept a new job for about half the salary. She said she is looking for full-time work because part-time positions do not usually pay well and they lack job security.

“They don’t have to pay you benefits, and they do not have to make accommodations for you,” she said.

Ariane Hegewisch, study director for the Institute for the Women’s Policy Research in Washington, D.C., said part-time jobs almost never provide pensions, health insurance or paid time off.

“You don’t get sick days, you don’t get vacations, so they are (often) not good jobs,” she said.

But many women choose to work part-time because they want to raise children or provide care to family members, Hegewisch said. About 25.8 percent of children in the United States are raised by a single parent, most of whom are women, according to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

As a result of this ongoing trend, many of the part-time jobs available are considered “jobs for women,” such as receptionist positions or retail clerks, Hegewisch said.

“Women typically are more likely than men to say they work part-time voluntarily, because of family reasons,” Hegewisch said.

“Men work part-time when they are young or students, or when they are old and retired — if they work part-time at some time in between, it’s typically not voluntary,” according to Hegewisch.

But she said that fewer people are working multiple jobs likely because unemployment is so high and there is more competition for part-time work.

About 8.4 million American workers in July were working part-time because their hours were cut back or they were unable to find a full-time job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“It may not be an ideal situation, having two or three part-time jobs, but at least you are in the work force, you are making money and you are providing for yourself and your family,” said Ann Stevens, spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services.

“I think most people would rather be at that point than unemployed.”

Linda Borgert, 50, of Beavercreek, works full-time at the Montgomery County Law Library, teaches at Fortis College Centerville and sells Pampered Chef products. She said she works about 50 hours a week.

In an ideal world, Borgert said she would earn enough from her full-time job to cover the bills and maintain her family’s quality of life.

But she said her 57-year-old husband, Jim Borgert, has been out of work for nearly two years, and she fears his age, lack of recent work experience and the weak labor market makes it unlikely he will find another job soon.

She said she has no problem juggling jobs, but admits it leaves little time for recreation and entertainment. “I guess I can do this for as long as I have to, but the question is, how long do I have to do it?” she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0749 or cfrolik@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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