Some economists argue that, unlike past recessions, in which workers were temporarily laid off from an industry only to be rehired as the recovery picked up, job losses starting in 1991 were more permanent. Matters were exacerbated by firms’ postponement until a recession of hard choices about closing unviable plants and shedding workers.
造成这一结果的原因颇多。 有些经济学家提出与以往经济衰退期临时解雇工人，恢复期又重新雇佣不同，1991年开始的岗位裁撤更加长期。 企业一直拖到衰退期才决定关闭没有商业价值的工厂并解雇工人加大了经济衰退的冲击力。 这导致失业工人被迫转行寻找工作，这样需要的时间更长，也需要接受更多培训。