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American Worker Blog Series

Photo by FotoAndalucia/Adobe Stock

To mark Labor Day 2017, RAND is happy to bring you our second American Worker blog series.

Much has happened since last year. On the labor market front, expansion of the economy has been robust, with two million jobs created in the last 12 months. While average weekly earnings growth has still not completely recovered from the Great Recession, it is on an upward trajectory, hovering close to three percent annual growth (PDF). The unemployment rate (4.3 percent) is approaching historic lows. But the labor force participation rate (the percentage of adults who are economically active) remains more than three percentage points lower than the 2007 rate.

This year, RAND celebrates 50 years of conducting research to improve the quality, productivity, and well-being of the American workforce. There is no better time to examine the state of the workforce, explore the challenges it faces, and assess possible policy solutions.

The fear of job displacement due to automation is on the top of many workers' minds. So it's fitting to start with an exploration of how one innovation, autonomous vehicles, is likely to impact the labor market. Nidhi Kalra discusses the types of jobs that are likely to be displaced by widespread use of autonomous vehicles and the policies that will help mitigate the negative impact.

Kathryn Edwards explores how more young workers are getting help from their parents, particularly in the form of housing. She discusses the factors causing this trend, including decreasing public assistance and high costs of housing, education, and child care.

Finally, Kathleen Mullen and Jeffrey Wenger discuss findings from the American Working Conditions Survey, which was conducted using the RAND American Life Panel. The survey finds that the workplace can be harsh, hostile, and hectic. But it can also be a source of support and satisfaction.

Blog Posts

2017

What Autonomous Vehicles Could Mean for American Workers
Aug 29, 2017
Nidhi Kalra
Autonomous vehicles are projected to hit American roads within the next few years. They promise safer transportation, greater mobility for millions of Americans, and other benefits. But they will also have enormous impacts on the workforce.
Many Americans Face Bullying, Harassment, and Abuse at Work, but Bosses Can Help
Aug 30, 2017
Kathleen J. Mullen @KathleenJMullen, Jeffrey B. Wenger
Workers are experiencing high levels of hostile behaviors at work. Nearly one in five American workers have been subjected to some form of verbal abuse, unwanted sexual attention, threats, or humiliating behavior at work, with younger non-college educated workers bearing the most risk.
Why More Young Workers Are Relying on Financial Help from Parents
Aug 31, 2017
Kathryn A. Edwards
As today's young adults grapple with a difficult job market, high tuition costs, and rapidly rising rents, parents are increasingly providing financial support and other forms of assistance.

2016

You're Never Too Young to Plan for Retirement
Sep 2, 2016
Jeremy Burke, Angela A. Hung
Saving early for retirement is critical, but it's also important to stay on track during job changes. Younger workers tend to change jobs often, and if they cash out of their plans with each position, that can affect their long-term savings.
Working for $7.25 an Hour: Exploring the Minimum Wage Debate
Sep 1, 2016
Jeffrey B. Wenger
Raising the minimum wage is likely to change employee and employer behavior in ways that raise efficiency and offset increased costs. But raising it too high may lead to negative effects like reduced sales, outsourcing, and offshoring.
College Education No Panacea for Worker Inequality Woes
Aug 31, 2016
Carter C. Price @CarterCPrice
Promoting additional education is one of the more popular approaches to tackling inequality, but there are limits to this approach. Technology reduces demand for some college graduates while making others—such as those with STEM degrees—more efficient and therefore better paid.
Eliminating Jobs or Strengthening the Economy?
Aug 30, 2016
Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Open trade and investment policies benefit the overall economy and many individuals. However, those benefits can be spread unevenly, and some workers are hurt. The challenge for any administration is to effectively help American workers displaced by trade without losing the overall benefits of open trade, including the new jobs it helps to create.
Accommodation for Disabled Workers: Knowledge of Rights a Good Start
Aug 29, 2016
Kathleen J. Mullen @KathleenJMullen
With a 36 percent chance of becoming disabled at least once before reaching age 50, it is imperative that workers know their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the resources available to help them.
From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Transferring Veterans' Skills to the Civilian Labor Market
Aug 26, 2016
Kimberly Curry Hall
The number of returning veterans is expected to grow to 4.2 million over the next decade. This robust talent pool can be an asset to the civilian workforce. Investments in translating veterans' skills, certification and licensing, and comprehensive career counseling can improve this transition.
Living Longer, Working Longer
Aug 25, 2016
Michael D. Hurd, Susann Rohwedder
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.
Middle-Skill Jobs in the STEM Economy
Aug 24, 2016
Gabriella C. Gonzalez @GabCGonzalez, Robert Bozick
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Perkins Act are two major policy initiatives intended to support retraining unemployed and underemployed adults in high-demand STEM occupations. To further reconnect adults to the labor force, it is also important to raise awareness about high-demand occupations—including computer support specialists, web developers, and engineering technicians—that need to be filled.
Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses
Aug 23, 2016
Lynn A. Karoly, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
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.
Labor Day Blog Series: American Worker
Aug 22, 2016
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Robert Bozick, et al.
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.