Cause and Effect

Annals of unintended consequences:

If the government were to, somehow make full-time employees more expensive, perhaps through some oh-so-compassionate regulatory move known as the "Affordable Care Act," what might we expect employers to do when it comes to hiring and scheduling? Do they say, "aww, shucks," I guess we'll just have shoulder yet-higher costs in this really crappy economy? Or do they turn as many employees as possible into part-timers?

Well, what do you think will happen? Here's one scenario:

In an experiment apparently aimed at keeping down the cost of health-care reform, Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has stopped offering full-time schedules to many hourly workers in at least a few Olive Gardens, Red Lobsters and LongHorn Steakhouses.

This isn't an experiment. It's the future. More at the first link.