While many workers cannot find work, those who can often earn less than they did at previous jobs, work fewer hours and do not have benefits. With the median hourly wage lower than ten years when adjusted for inflation, even buying basic goods can be hard. Fewer people quit their jobs in March, a sign that they do not have faith in their prospects of finding another one. Economists say the recession acerbated already present problems with wages, which had stagnated for years. While prices for many things have remained steady, college, health care and food have risen in the past few years, causing more problems for many.
See "Lost in Recession, Toll on Unemployed and Underpaid", Michael Cooper, The New York Times, June 18, 2012