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Stronger US Payroll Growth Coexists With Unwanted Part-Time Work

The October report combines faster hiring with an increase in workers unable to obtain full-time hours.

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Business news editorial illustration for US Hiring Picks Up, but More Workers Want Full-Time Hours

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US by 165,000 in , the of 48,000 the . The of its on 6.

and 70,000 , 42,000. The at 4.1%.

The 339,000 more for , the to 4.8 . They , but their had been or they not .

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026-11-06.

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Try 2 questions about this story, then explain one idea in your own words. Check the text whenever you need to.

In this lesson: Apply the definition of unwanted part-time work and interpret a comparison between industries.

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Read and understand · 1/2Which example fits the group described in the final paragraph?

Read the answer and explanation

A worker wants full-time hours but has had their hours reduced.. The group is employed part time but wants full-time employment, either after an hours reduction or because full-time positions cannot be found.

Clue: The household survey also recorded 339,000 more people working part time for economic reasons, bringing the total to about 4.8 million. They wanted full-time employment, but their hours had been reduced or they could not find full-time positions.

Read and understand · 2/2How does “while” connect the two industry figures?

Read the answer and explanation

It places the gains in the two industries side by side for comparison.. While compares the 70,000 jobs added in professional and business services with the 42,000 added in health care. It does not assert a cause or a sequence.

Clue: Professional and business services added 70,000 jobs, while health care added 42,000. The unemployment rate changed little at 4.1%.

Grammar in this story: Past perfect passive

their hours had been reduced

Had been reduced describes an earlier reduction that helps explain the workers’ part-time situation. The passive focuses on their hours rather than naming whoever reduced them.

Your turn

Explain how stronger job growth and more unwanted part-time work can appear in the same report. Support your explanation with two figures.

See one possible answer

Payrolls grew by 165,000, more than the preceding year’s monthly average of 48,000. At the same time, 339,000 more people were working part time for economic reasons despite wanting full-time work. More jobs and access to the hours people want describe different aspects of employment.

Your answer can be different. Give a reason and use your own words.

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