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Labor Markets

Workforce Management
commentary
To Preserve Jobs, America's Employers May Have to Get Creative
Jason Michael Ward
May 26, 2020
CNN
With about 38.6 million Americans filing for unemployment insurance benefits since the end of February, it is clear that COVID-19 has turned the world of work upside down. One way to reduce the economic damage may be job-sharing, an approach that focuses on maximizing jobs by reducing workers' hours rather than resorting to layoffs or furloughs.
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Decisionmaking
commentary
Relaxing COVID-19 Restrictions Presents Stark Health and Economic Choices
Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel, Raffaele Vardavas, Aaron Strong
May 18, 2020
The RAND Blog
RAND's new COVID-19 interventions impact tool uses epidemiological and economic models and continually refreshed data to estimate what could happen as restrictions are eased. The tool won't make the choices confronting state leaders less painful. But it can provide clear, evidence-based estimates of the health and economic trade-offs.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Economic Recovery in Egypt Should Include Women
Louay Constant
May 11, 2020
United Press International
Despite tremendous strides in educational attainment, women's engagement in the labor force in Egypt remains limited. Will Egypt's post-pandemic recovery further exacerbate structural barriers and inequities? Or could the current economic crisis be an opportunity to develop new opportunities to employ women and foster conditions for a more inclusive and diversified labor force?
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Is the Unemployment Rate Now Higher Than It Was in the Great Depression?
Jeffrey B. Wenger, Kathryn A. Edwards
May 7, 2020
The RAND Blog
The extent of COVID-19's effect on the labor market will be catastrophic for many workers and businesses. Matching the unemployment rate peak set by the Great Depression is not even necessary to establish the historic nature of the downturn that we're living through.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Millions Need Unemployment Benefits. Unfortunately, the Delivery System Is Broken
Kathryn A. Edwards
Apr 6, 2020
Los Angeles Times
More than 10 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance in March as businesses closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington's stimulus package enacted welcome measures to tide people over, but these temporary fixes don't address some serious structural problems.
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Demographics
blog
Ink Tank: At RAND, Tattoos Sometimes Reflect the Research
Jan 10, 2020
Three RAND experts and one Pardee RAND student explain how their tattoos reflect their research on the problems Marines face, end-of-life care, migration-related issues, and the changing needs of the labor force.
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Workforce Development
essay
Education and Employment Should Be One System, Not Two
Jan 7, 2020
Too many American workers aren't getting the education and training they need to compete in the 21st century. We need to revamp the entire system of educating and employing people. And that system needs to ensure equitable access to opportunities and lifelong learning.
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Education Policy
q&a
Learning Is a Lifelong Process: Q&A with V. Darleen Opfer
Dec 23, 2019
As vice president and director of RAND Education and Labor, V. Darleen Opfer oversees a research portfolio that ranges from early childhood education to retirement planning. In this interview, she discusses what she learned from being a teacher, the need for evidence-based practices, and the importance of lifelong learning in today's labor market.
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Workforce Management
commentary
Do Workers' Protections Need to Depend on Employee Status? Looking Beyond AB 5
Samantha Cherney, Lynn A. Karoly
Oct 17, 2019
The RAND Blog
As the nature of work evolves and the relationships between workers and firms become increasingly complex, it's possible that disentangling worker protections from worker classification rules will become a policy option worth further exploration.
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Hurricanes
blog
Hurricane Dorian, Al Qaeda, Veterans' Health: RAND Weekly Recap
Sep 13, 2019
This weekly recap looks at Hurricane Dorian recovery, al Qaeda 18 years after 9/11, veterans' mental health care, and more.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Saving Farmworkers from Slavery-Like Conditions, Field by Field
Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis
Sep 5, 2019
United Press International
Those at the bottom of the European agricultural supply chain are vulnerable to abuse. The same was true in the tomato fields of Florida until recently. The solution developed there may offer a roadmap for doing right by workers in Europe.
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Urologic Disorders
commentary
Waking Up to the Costs of Nocturia
Marco Hafner, Christian Van Stolk
Jun 18, 2019
The RAND Blog
Nocturia is a troublesome lower urinary tract condition that causes people to wake up two or more times a night to empty their bladder. Researchers calculated the overall economic cost associated with nocturia in a working-age population across six countries.
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Refugees
commentary
Economic Burden or Opportunity? How Syrian Refugees Can Contribute to Local Economies
Fadia Afashe, Louay Constant
Mar 25, 2019
The SASA Post
The influx of refugees escaping the war in Syria has placed an enormous economic burden on the countries that host them. Despite the challenges, host countries have an opportunity to capitalize on the presence of refugees to grow their own economies for the mutual benefit of all.
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Refugees
commentary
Jobs Can Improve the Lives of Syrian Refugees and Their Host Communities—and Support Stability in the Middle East
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Mar 11, 2019
Foreign Policy
Host governments, international development agencies, and donor countries like the United States could take several steps to improve Syrian refugee employment. This would increase self-reliance among Syrian refugees and ease pressures on host communities.
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Refugees
blog
Refugees, Brexit, Cannabis: RAND Weekly Recap
Dec 14, 2018
This weekly recap focuses on how Syrian refugees can contribute to local economies, prospects for Brexit, marijuana legalization, and more.
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Migrants
commentary
Berlin Protests Highlight Need for Sound Employment Discrimination Laws in Germany
Laura Kupe
Nov 15, 2018
American Institute for Contemporary German Studies
Germany has a legal tradition and a strong constitution that promotes equality for all those living within its borders. That tradition could end up being a factor as German policymakers consider whether it is advantageous for the nation as a whole that the newest members of its society should have the necessary legal protections to succeed socially and economically.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Bridging the Growing College Divide Among Young Americans
Diana Gehlhaus
Apr 13, 2018
The Hill
Over the last decade, more Americans age 25 to 34 earned four-year college and graduate degrees, but the number of those without college degrees also increased. New ways of communicating educational options and outcomes to young people are needed.
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Employment and Unemployment
blog
Exploring the Challenges Facing American Workers
Sep 15, 2017
A panel of experts at RAND discussed changes in the U.S. economy and findings from a survey that asked more than 3,000 Americans about issues they face in the workplace. Frequent hostility, rising inequality, slow wage growth, and changes in the demand for certain skills are some of the issues affecting workers.
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Occupations
commentary
California's Tourism Industry: A Launching Pad for New Careers
Matthew D. Baird
Jun 29, 2017
The RAND Blog
Travel and tourism jobs in California often serve as an entry point for those outside the paid labor force. Nearly 55 percent leave the industry within a few years, some of whom move to another industry but keep the same occupation. Others change occupations as they change industries.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Community Colleges Can Be 'First Responders' in Retraining Displaced Workers
Lindsay Daugherty
Feb 16, 2017
The Hill
Many of the occupations with the most opportunities require two-year degrees or certificates. Community colleges play a key role in training students for these jobs and offer a supportive environment for displaced and dissatisfied workers.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Curbing Globalisation Won't Halt the Rise of Inequality
Stijn Hoorens @StijnHoorens
Dec 14, 2016
E!Sharp
Globalization may be one of many factors driving inequality. But ending trade agreements and throwing up trade barriers is unlikely to stop this trend.
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Wages and Compensation
commentary
Finding the 'Sweet Spot' in the UK Minimum Wage Debate
Marco Hafner
Nov 28, 2016
The RAND Blog
Increases in the UK national minimum wages have not had adverse effects on employment overall. But it's important that the new national living wage and minimum wage aren’t increased to a point that is unsustainable for businesses.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
America's Shifting Labor Market in a Technology-Driven World
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Nov 25, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
Making America competitive in a transitioning market will require examining future labor market requirements. Workforce development programs that target building labor capacity for a new economy will be essential.
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Globalization
blog
Who Wins Globalization?
Nov 14, 2016
While more needs to be done for those who once worked in industries such as furniture manufacturing, where essentially all activity has moved to lower-cost nations, the U.S. is starting to see an increase in manufacturing activity because of new types of technological advances.
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United States
essay
Election 2016: The Domestic Issues
Oct 3, 2016
RAND offers a unique take on the big domestic issues facing America: research that is independent, reliable, and rigorously nonpartisan.
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International Trade
commentary
Eliminating Jobs or Strengthening the Economy? The Impact of Trade Policies on the American Worker
Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Aug 30, 2016
The RAND Blog
The enormous benefits of trade include economic growth, more variety for industry and consumers, and lower prices. But trade can displace some American workers. Training programs, relocation assistance, and wage insurance can help.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Living Longer, Working Longer
Michael D. Hurd, Susann Rohwedder
Aug 25, 2016
The RAND Blog
When people live longer, the costs of Social Security and Medicare increase and threaten the sustainability of these programs. Households also worry about how to finance more retirement years. But people are working longer, and if they continue to do so, they will reduce some of the problems.
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Globalization
commentary
Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses
Lynn A. Karoly, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Aug 23, 2016
The RAND Blog
Three trends have important implications for the future of work: a shifting demography toward older workers, more women, and more diversity; continuing technological change that will increase the demand for skilled workers; and increased globalization.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Labor Day Blog Series: American Worker
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Robert Bozick, Joy S. Moini
Aug 22, 2016
The RAND Blog
To celebrate Labor Day, the American Worker series of commentaries offers research, reflections, and policy insights on a variety of topics that affect American workers.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Young Workers Without College Degrees Face Uncomfortable Truths
Diana Gehlhaus
Jun 23, 2016
The Hill
Young Americans without a college education suffer from high unemployment, low earnings, and delayed adulthood with a limited ability to buy a home. To help them, policymakers need to remind themselves that workforce training and labor policy must focus on the technology-driven jobs of tomorrow.
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College-Bound Students
commentary
Making the 'Gap Year' More Inclusive and Purposeful
Louay Constant
May 19, 2016
The RAND Blog
High schools and universities should work together, with the support of policymakers, to develop programs that would provide a wider spectrum of U.S. students with the opportunity to take a purposeful gap year—and enter college with some real-world adult experience behind them.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Are EU Migrants Over-Qualified for the Jobs They Do?
Barbara Janta, Joanna Hofman @JoannaBHofman
Feb 24, 2016
EurActiv
Debates on EU mobility are focused on what EU migrants take away from their host countries, and the costs they may bring taxpayers. What may be ignored is the contribution migrants bring to local labor markets and how this can grow if they have jobs that make the most of their skills.
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Developing Countries
commentary
Informality and Formality: Two Ends of the Employment Continuum
Shanthi Nataraj @ShanthiNataraj
Jan 22, 2016
The World Bank Jobs and Development Blog
The staying power of informal employment in developing countries is a concern, because informal employees (e.g., day laborers) tend to receive lower wages, fewer benefits, and fewer legal protections. How can policymakers improve conditions for informal workers?
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Labor Markets
commentary
The Prospective Impact of Airbus Industries on Mobile
Edward G. Keating, Irina Elena Danescu
Oct 10, 2015
AL.com
Austal USA's operations in Mobile, Alabama have benefited the broader region. Similarly, Airbus's hiring should have a net favorable impact on the region's economy, since the area does not appear to be at or near full employment.
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International Trade
commentary
Bridging the Global Age Gap
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Oct 8, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers hope for balancing the world's rapidly aging with its jobless youth. As long-term care for the elderly becomes a pressing need in many developed countries, services such as monitoring and reminding people to take their medications could be provided remotely from countries with an abundance of younger workers.
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Employment Legislation
commentary
One in Five Hourly Employees Working Overtime Not Properly Compensated
Susann Rohwedder, Jeffrey B. Wenger
Sep 4, 2015
The RAND Blog
Most laws as old as the Fair Labor Standards Act regularly need tuning up. But its overtime provisions are complicated because some workers are exempt from being covered. A survey of more than 1,500 employed adults finds that employers are violating the rules.
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Hurricanes
blog
Hurricane Katrina: 10 Years After the Storm
Aug 27, 2015
This weekend marks 10 years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. As the region struggled to cope and rebuild after the storm, RAND experts worked on solutions to the region's long-term challenges.
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Vocational Education
commentary
Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System
Louay Constant, Cathy Stasz, Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Georges Vernez
Dec 31, 2014
EduTech Magazine
Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?
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Social Services and Welfare
commentary
Addressing SSDI's Looming Insolvency
Nicole Maestas, Philip Armour @economistphil
Nov 12, 2014
The RAND Blog
Social Security Disability Insurance will be unable to cover 20 percent of its scheduled benefit obligations beginning in 2016. The lack of an evidentiary base to guide policy has been one of the major impediments to the consideration of changes that could modernize the program without jeopardizing its essential safety net function.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Seven Chances to Meet Europe's Employment Targets
Melinda Mills, Stijn Hoorens @StijnHoorens
Oct 30, 2014
European Voice online
The EU will fail to meet the Europe 2020 Strategy target of having 75 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 64 in work unless enough women are encouraged to enter, or remain in, the workforce. Here are seven factors the new EU Commissioners responsible for gender equality and employment must address.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Solutions for Youth Employment: New Coalition Takes on Pervasive, Persistent Global Problem
Haijing Crystal Huang, Nelly Josefina Mejia Gonzalez
Oct 17, 2014
The RAND Blog
Youth unemployment is a pervasive and persistent worldwide scourge: 75 million youth are unemployed now and that rate is expected to rise. RAND joined the World Bank, Accenture, International Youth Foundation, and others to form Solutions for Youth Employment, a unique coalition that acts to increase youth opportunities for productive employment.
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Employment and Unemployment
announcement
RAND Joins Coalition to Tackle Youth Unemployment
Oct 9, 2014
The RAND Corporation has joined the World Bank and other corporate and civil society leaders to establish Solutions for Youth Employment, a global coalition that acts to address the pervasive challenges of youth employment.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Labor and Opposition in Iran
Alireza Nader, Leila Mahnad
Apr 22, 2013
Foreign Policy
The economic pains caused by the Iranian regime's mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions have dealt serious blows to worker wages, benefits, and job security — enough reason for Iranian laborers to organize and oppose the regime.
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Labor Markets
commentary
The SSDI Program's Impact on Human Capital
Nicole Maestas, Kathleen J. Mullen @KathleenJMullen
Mar 8, 2013
The RAND Blog
The combined effects of having potentially employable individuals receive SSDI benefits, and the loss of skills among those who are denied benefits, are significant, write Nicole Maestas and Kathleen Mullen.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Economy Needs 'Unretired'
Nicole Maestas
Dec 12, 2012
The Orange County Register
Though work at older ages can benefit both the economy and retirees themselves, public policy does not always facilitate it. The retirement earning test in the early years of Social Security eligibility, for example, is perceived as a disincentive to work, writes Nicole Maestas.
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commentary
Public: Leaner, Fitter, Meaner?
Tom Ling
Jan 4, 2007
The Guardian
Published commentary by RAND staff: Public: Leaner, Fitter, Meaner?, in The Guardian.
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commentary
Behind the Rhetoric
Charles Wolf, Jr.
Sep 26, 2003
South China Morning Post
A chronological list of commentaries authored by RAND staff and published in newspapers and magazines worldwide.
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