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Addressing COVID-19–Related Challenges Facing Individuals Engaged in Precarious Employment (2023)

Chapter: Executive Summary

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Suggested Citation: "Executive Summary." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Addressing COVID-19–Related Challenges Facing Individuals Engaged in Precarious Employment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26930.

Executive Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on workers engaged in precarious employment—those in positions commonly characterized by little to no job security, low wages, and few or no benefits. Statistics show an increase in such employment positions in recent years and additional vulnerability among these workers during the pandemic. They reported increased exposure to COVID-19, limited access to sick and family leave, job losses, and reduced hours. Many of these workers, especially those who are undocumented, have also been unable to access government assistance and employer-sponsored programs. This rapid expert consultation identifies strategies that state and local decision makers can use to mitigate COVID-19–related challenges facing individuals engaged in precarious employment, with particular attention to strategies that can remedy existing inequalities. Box 1 summarizes these strategies.

BOX 1
KEY STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT

Expand access to benefits and labor protections: Some individuals engaged in precarious employment are not eligible for unemployment insurance or paid sick leave, or face challenges such as wage theft. Such policies to address these needs could include reworking eligibility requirements for unemployment funds, improving paid sick leave protections, and expanding worker protections against wage theft.
Update and enforce occupational health and safety regulations: Individuals engaged in precarious employment experience greater exposure to COVID-19 and other health risks. State and local decision makers have opportunities to improve safety regulations by issuing employment guidelines, conducting inspections, assessing fines for defaulters, and supporting and enforcing requirements that workplaces have safety committees.
Engage community partners and worker-centered organizations: The reach of state and local agencies can be increased by partnering with trusted community and worker-centered organizations to provide education and training on labor laws, increase public awareness, and provide support to those involved in referral processes for workplace violations.
Support health and well-being: Workers’ well-being can be improved by expanding access to health care and mental health services. This can be accomplished by, for example, increasing the role of managed care organizations, improving community health services, continuing access to telehealth, and broadening Medicaid eligibility.
Improve data collection and data sharing: Having accurate and timely disaggregated data can help inform state and local decision makers about the needs of and challenges facing this population. In addition, decision makers can promote rigorous data collection efforts by investing in data systems and encouraging data sharing by the private sector.

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Addressing COVID-19–Related Challenges Facing Individuals Engaged in Precarious Employment (2023)

Chapter: Executive Summary

Executive Summary