underemployed

[James A. Landau]

I would have thought "underemployed" meant "not getting as much work as one needs" (a usage that I can document circa 1980, if anyone is interested), but in the quote below it appears to mean "less-than-full-time work" without connoting poverty or low pay.  Although the article is from Associated Press, the statement was made in Europe and may reflect a British or Continental usage.

"Airbus said it will reduce the workweek for underemployed workers to as little as 28 hours. However, workers will be expected to make up the hours later, when orders are healthier."

quoted from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/289042_airbus18.html

    - Jim Landau

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