underemployed
Insufficiently using skills
Underemployed describes workers whose jobs don't fully use their skills, education, or available hours.
Someone with a PhD working as a barista is underemployed, as is a part-time worker who wants full-time hours but can't find them.
The term captures economic frustration that unemployment statistics miss: Many recent graduates find themselves underemployed for years after finishing school.
Too capable for position
- underutilizationInsufficient use of resources
- credentialismOvervaluing formal qualifications
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
Not yet utilized
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
- latentPresent but inactive
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
retraining · opportunity · capacity · versatility · ambition · aspiration · development · growth
Unhappiness with circumstances
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
stagnation · powerlessness · alienation · insecurity · boredom · unfulfillment · demotivation · restlessness
Self-directed contract work
- temporaryLimited in duration
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- adjunctSubordinate addition to something
- contractEnforceable written agreement
hourly · on-call · intermittent · substitute · contingent · piecemeal · zero-hours · moonlighting
overqualified
Too capable for position
- underutilizationInsufficient use of resources
- credentialismOvervaluing formal qualifications
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
untapped
Not yet utilized
- underutilizedInsufficiently put to work
- latentPresent but inactive
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
upskilling · retraining · opportunity · capacity · versatility · ambition · aspiration · development · growth · promise
underpaid
Given inadequate wages
- debtMoney owed another
- undercompensatedPaid below fair value
discontent
Unhappiness with circumstances
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
dissatisfaction · stagnation · powerlessness · alienation · insecurity · boredom · unfulfillment · demotivation · restlessness · disengagement
freelancing
Self-directed contract work
- temporaryLimited in duration
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- adjunctSubordinate addition to something
contract · hourly · on-call · intermittent · substitute · contingent · piecemeal · zero-hours · moonlighting
- employment statushired, fired, retired, laid off, terminated
- unusedunused, idle, untouched, vacant, empty
- job seekersapplicants, candidates, job seekers, interviewees, prospects
- workforceworkers, employees, labor force, worker, labor
- aging workforceaging workforce, older workers, mature workers, baby boomers, senior staff
- aid recipientsfood stamp users, Medicare recipients, social security recipients, scholarship holders, charity cases
underemployedfull-time
Complete weekly hours
overworked · overemployed · stretched thin · in demand · maxed out