More work with fewer resources - Are you doing more with less?
Posted: 04.03.2012 at 10:18 AM
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In the current economy, many people are thankful just to have a job. Others are being forced to do more work with less. Are you one of them?

Nationwide, we're producing more goods and services than we did before the economic slump started in 2007. But we're doing it with 6 million fewer workers, according to the Labor Department.

Jimmy Richey knows all to well the business of multi-tasking. He's worked with a local franchise of the cleanup crew 1-800-GOT-JUNK for two years and does just about everything.

Richey has seen his work change along with the economy. Instead of doing one thing, he does jobs all over the office. He's learned to perfect the task of doing more with less. His boss, Andrew Sander says his employees know they're expected to do any job whenever it's needed. "With the economy the way it is, there's no room for employees that only want to be a small part of it," Sander said.

Workers are producing more and more these days with fewer resources. They're expected to multi-task and keep up with demand by doing more work. "You do have to ask for more, and you have to expect more from them. And if you don't expect more, I wear every single hat there is," Sander said.

Technology has proved to be a blessing and a nightmare for workers. With more technology at their fingertips, it helps make workers more efficient, but it also eliminates jobs. For example, banking transactions can do be done via cell phone. In some cases, that eliminates the need for a teller. As a result of self-checkout, grocery stores don't need a clerk at every register.

For jobs that require a human being, it means you have to know a little bit about everything.

So even as more people get back to work, the Labor Department says businesses have learned how to operate with fewer people, a trend that's friendly to the company's bottom line.

Are you being asked to do more at your job? What impact does it have on morale? Has it affected the quality of your product? Leave your thoughts below.

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Information courtesy of NBC News.