Occupational Labor Mobility

A mediocre junior high football team has high occupational labor mobility. Today, Jimmy plays quarterback. Tomorrow, he might serve as defensive lineman. On Tuesday, he's the wide receiver. By Friday, he's back to QB, though he also becomes the kicker for PATs.

Meanwhile, a professional football team has low occupational labor mobility. The QB always acts as QB. If he tried to stand in for a defensive lineman for a play or two, he'd probably end up with a broken collarbone. Kickers kick. Punters punt. Long snappers snap long distances (but not short distances...someone else does that).

Occupational labor mobility refers to the ability of workers to move around to different positions. In general economic terms, it refers to workers' ability to change industries or keep up with technical change. A factory laborer can make boxes, or they can make frozen peas. Relatively high occupational labor mobility.

But you don't want your dentist standing in for your neurosurgeon...or vice versa. Low occupational labor mobility in those cases.