Over the past four quarters, non-farm productivity in America had its sixth-biggest jump since records began in the 1940s. That's good, right? It certainly is if you are an employer. More output per paid hours of work equals better returns. But for poor old employees it might simply mean less help and more sweat. Of course, productivity growth ultimately lifts everyone's prosperity. Those with jobs, however, may well wish for higher productivity, but not just yet.
在過去四個季度裏,美國非農生產率創下自上世紀40年代開始編制以來的第六大增幅。這是個好訊息,對不對?假如你是一名僱主,那當然是這樣。單位付薪工時的產出提高了,就等於利潤成長了。但對於那些可憐的老員工來說,這可能意味著付出更多的汗水,得到更少的好處。當然,生產率的提高最終會提升所有國民的福祉。不過,那些有工作的人多半也希望生產率能夠提高,但不是現在。