Irwin Henry works at a "boutique" public relations firm in lower Manhattan, which he likes to call "Mom and Pop plus Three." (The staff includes three full-time employees and the two owners.)

The firm, which used to win awards and serve numerous clients, has diminished to just five customers -- a number that the owners insist cannot increase because the company "can't handle being that large again." As a result, there are constant financial concerns, paychecks are late or handwritten, and in December 2008, there was an across-the-board salary reduction.

"The general demeanor of paranoia, a crushing lack of people skills and business acumen on the part of the owner, make for a sinking ship that I've been trying to escape for quite some time," Henry says.

But, he can't. Though he's been job hunting for something outside of PR for the past year, he hasn't heard a peep in three months; any industry he's interested in is on a hiring freeze. To compensate, Henry is waiting tables as a fallback position in case things get worse at his current job.

Henry is definitely not alone in his misery. Thirty percent of workers are dissatisfied in their current positions, according to the 2009 Job Forecast by CareerBuilder.com. Given the current state of the economy and job market, however, many workers are willing to stay in a situation they hate for fear that they won't be able to find another job at all.

Megyn Kelly, 22, is one of these people. Technically labeled an "intern" at her Washington, D.C.-based firm, Kelly is paid a stipend below minimum wage and is ineligible for health-care benefits. Though she is miserable in her work, she says fear keeps her grounded.

"Having spent three months after graduation searching for a job, I was lucky to find this one in a field I was remotely interested in. I was hired in September [2008] and was only planning to stay through the end of the year," she says. "I just can't leave this job. Who knows when I'll find another?"

The trepidation of not knowing when or if you'll find another job is not the only reason people are staying in so-called job prison. Workers are also scared of losing valuable assets like benefits.

When Rose Strong worked as a customer service representative for a national health insurance company, her partner, an auctioneer for a small firm, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Though she made great money, her partner's employer couldn't afford health insurance for its employees. As a result, Strong had to stay in her stressful job for the health benefits -- and in the meantime, she developed an anxiety and panic disorder due to the extreme expectations of her employer.

"The job itself was simply horrible. Stressful isn't even the word to describe it," Strong says. "But, it offered domestic partnership benefits. I couldn't leave the job or my partner wouldn't have health insurance. Not every employer offers this benefit ... [it was] a major issue for someone who has had cancer."

The flip side
Though many people feel as though they are "stuck" in their jobs, others don't buy it. Dorothy Tannahill Moran, a life coach, says she has "never signed up for the notion that you have no options out of a bad job, even in a bad environment."

Others argue that with so many out of work, people should be happy they have a job at all. And, if they are unhappy, they should stop complaining and do something about it. Despite the economy and the tightening job market, 60 percent of workers are planning to change jobs, according to CareerBuilder.com's job forecast.

"If [workers] choose to stay [in a job they hate], they should know that this is their choice," says Kathy Wensel, author of "Freedom Is ... A Book/Journal with a Twist." "Be happy where [you] are because you have benefits and a paycheck."

Making the most of it
Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, either way you are right." Translation: The more you think you have no choices, the more you will have no choices.

Whether you're bored, dissatisfied or scared to leave your job because of the economy, there are things you can do to make work tolerable until something new comes up:

Here are 10 tips from career experts on how to escape job prison:

1. Be realistic
Many experts advise not to quit your job without another one on hand because you are lucky to have one, even if you hate it. But Darcy Eikenberg, president and CEO of Coach Darcy LLC, says you shouldn't buy into the myth that no jobs are out there. "Stuck is just a perception, not a reality," she says. "You're never really stuck until there are no more options, and you'll never know what the options are until you start exploring them."

2. Change your attitude
Look at your job as the launching pad to your next position instead of as a hindrance. "You'll only be able to give it your best if you can convince yourself of the value it offers your life," says Debra Yergen, author of "Creating Job Security Resource Guide." It pays the rent, gives you benefits, allows you to meet new people and enables you to enhance your skills.

3. Discover the hidden opportunities
"There is something you prefer to do and you do it really well. Define it, do it successfully and make sure it is something you do better than anyone else; it is your value-added insurance," says Gladys Kartin, career strategist.

4. Find the good in it
When work isn't going well, it's easy to dwell on the parts of the job you don't like. "At some point in time, a person probably liked his job and those are the things he should focus on. Whether it was a task, a co-worker, a meeting or a training session, try to nurture those parts of the job and find ways to incorporate them more into your daily routine," suggests human resource specialist Sharlyn Lauby.

5. Figure out what you don't like
If you're stuck in a job hate, the most important thing to do is identify why you hate the job. Once you do that, you'll see what's missing that could help you better tolerate the situation. You don't want to repeat this cycle in your next position, says Caela Farren, author of "Who's Running Your Career?"

6. Focus on the aspects you like -- even if it's just a paycheck
"There is opportunity in every adversity and if you don't see that, you will most likely re-create another dead-end job," says Dr. Nancy Irwin, speaker and author. Write down a list of the things you do enjoy about it and find ways to do more of those things. There has to be something about the job that you like, or used to like, otherwise you wouldn't have accepted the job in the first place.

7. Invest in yourself
Go to night school to pursue your passion. Hire a life coach; take a class; pursue your hobbies. "No economy will ever be able to drain the value of investments you make in strengthening your talents and abilities," Eikenberg says.

8. Network
"You're probably not the only person who hates his or her job, and you're probably not the first person to have bailed," says Martha Finney, author of "Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss." "All those people who you once worked with and who are now out there in a variety of companies in your community or industry, you have multiple networks now to thoroughly explore."

9. Seek out cross-training opportunities
Many workers want to change jobs because they aren't challenged anymore; finding new prospects fixes that. "Learning new skills or technologies, meeting new people and facing new challenges [are great ways] to keep your mind off the fact that you aren't in love with your job," says Lauren Milligan of ResuMayDay.com.

10. Volunteer
Find out about opportunities at your company where you can donate your time. "Is there a task force that is looking for assistance? Is there a committee to improve something? Request to be on it. By engaging in something that excites you, your mood will change and you might even get a different job within that company," says Kate Nasser, a people-skills coach.

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Success Stories: I Changed Careers
Today's economy has compelled job seekers to do some crazy things: standing on street corners wearing billboards advertising their unemployment, sending gifts to hiring managers, applying down for entry-level positions, or even switching careers entirely.

But you know what's really crazy? None of those things are that crazy at all. In fact, each of those things is a pretty smart move -- especially the latter.

What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'
Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She's a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education. For the past few years during her job search, she's been told -- in not so many words -- that she's overqualified.

Why You Should Make Your Boss Look Good
In the middle of a recession, the average worker is probably more focused on doing whatever's necessary to stay employed. Not showing up late, getting all your work done, bringing new ideas to the table and not making any major errors. Basically, not giving your boss a reason to fire you.

As good as those strategies are, they don't take into account the one person whose opinion really counts: the boss.

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries?
While making a change across industries can be difficult and sometimes daunting, job seekers are forced to look for work elsewhere as more and more sectors lose jobs each month.

Coping with a Job You Hate
Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.

Are You Stuck in Job Prison?
10 ways to live with a job you can't escape

Emerging Career Fields
Keeping your eye on trends is a smart career management practice. New technology, business practices, laws or changes in the global economy create needs for new or evolving occupations and career specialties.

How to Make a Comeback in the Work Force
Though many workers want to make a transition back to the work force for various reasons, many don't know exactly how to do it.

The Full-Time Job of Finding a Job
Today's job hunt is a combination of old-fashioned footwork, online brand building and reaching out to the right people, as Debbie Withers has learned.

Advice for Workers of Every Age, at Every Stage
Your career isn't exactly like having a significant other, but some of the same rules apply. Coasting through your professional life without asking any questions of yourself or taking into account your ambitions can limit what you achieve.

7 Recession-Resistant Industries in an Economic Downturn
Going into 2009, what seven industries will likely see sustained, or even increasing, demand?

5 Factors to Consider Before Relocating
In an ideal job market, you would find the job of your dreams right under your nose. You'd have a hefty paycheck, great benefits, flexibility and you'd wake up every day loving the work you do. The reality is even after all of your efforts, the jobs you find may fall short of meeting all of the criteria to be the right opportunity for you.

People in such situations may never come across their dream job because they've limited themselves in the job market. They've narrowed their search to local job openings and have no idea that their dream job is actually in another city or state. Many people, however, would be willing to pursue those opportunities if they were aware of them.

4 Steps to Getting Started in a New Career
Every month we receive a variety of questions from people asking us how to get started in their dream career. We don't normally respond to "How do I get started in ..." questions because we don't think we can provide a complete answer in only a few sentences. However, we can provide the following basic four-step overview of the process for getting started in a new career:

Is Your Job Recession-Proof?
Though it's difficult to predict exactly how the year will pan out, weak job growth, a slowing economy and troubled housing markets all point to signs of an economic recession. The good news for job seekers is that employers are still hiring and certain industries will survive (even thrive) during hard times.

4 Smart Moves When the Economy Slows
What are some ways to take control of your career when the economic outlook is weakening or uncertain?

Job Searching in a Recession
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.

Can Your Favorite Color Determine Your Perfect Job?
Do you ever wish finding the perfect job could be as easy as 1, 2, 3? According to new research, it might be as easy as red, yellow or blue.



Top 5 Things to Consider When Looking for a New Job
Few people are exactly alike when determining what makes them happy at work, but there are some key drivers of job satisfaction. The following article helps you identify those factors and provides you with direction in making the decision to change careers.

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