Updated
Updated · NPR · Jul 22
24% of U.S. Workers Stay in Unwanted Jobs for Health Insurance
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jul 22

24% of U.S. Workers Stay in Unwanted Jobs for Health Insurance

3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jul 22

Summary

  • A new report found nearly 1 in 4 U.S. employees remain in jobs they do not want primarily to keep health insurance coverage.
  • That 24% share is up significantly from 2021, pointing to a sharp rise in so-called job lock tied to employer-based benefits.
  • The trend signals a broader economic concern because workers staying put for coverage can limit job mobility and labor-market flexibility.

Insights

Why does a growing U.S. economy see one in four workers trapped in jobs just for health benefits?
As non-compete bans free some workers, what will it take to break the grip of health insurance job lock?