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Feb 10, 2021

When essential workers may not be employees

The disappearance of regular full-time jobs in the U.S. economy, one example being the trend of independent contractor janitors. Plus, GM reports quarterly results amid the company’s announcement that it will keep three plants idle because of a global chip shortage. And, Aunt Jemima is rebranded as Pearl Milling Company.

When essential workers may not be employees — John Moore/Getty Images

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Segments From This Episode

Extended downtime for GM plants doesn’t mean workers are losing their jobs
by Andy Uhler
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
The company says there’s a semiconductor shortage, and it will reassess the situation in mid-March
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Aunt Jemima rebrands as Pearl Milling Company
by Nova Safo
PepsiCo
It’s part of a reappraisal of brands long criticized for their demeaning or racist roots.
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Why janitors are increasingly employed by subcontractors, and what that says about the state of jobs in the U.S.
More from Marketplace’s documentary podcast “The Uncertain Hour” and its new season that gets deep into the history and the future of employees. Host Krissy Clark joined the “Marketplace Morning Report” to discuss.

Music from the episode

The Team

David Brancaccio Host
Victoria Craig Host, BBC
Stephen Ryan Senior Producer, BBC
Jonathan Frewin Producer, BBC
Daniel Shin Producer
Jay Siebold Technical Director
Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer
Alex Schroeder Producer
Erika Soderstrom Producer
Rose Conlon Producer
Brian Allison Technical Director

When essential workers may not be employees