- Podcasts
Latino Workers Lack Paid Sick Days A report from the National Partnership for Women & Families showed that the majority of the Latino workforce does not have a single paid sick day. Latinos work disproportionately in jobs like food preparation and service, construction, hospitality and personal care – the very jobs that present a threat to the health of both workers and the public. Paid sick days also protect consumers and the public from illness, which can safeguard a business’ reputation. The Fairness Initiative offers two podcasts on this topic. The Spanish-language version of the podcast features Sara Benitez, a research analyst at the National Council of La Raza. Benitez discusses how the lack of paid sick days among Latinos can affect the public at large. Tuesday, August 16, 2011 The English-language version of the report features Vicki Shabo, director of work and family programs at the National Partnership for Women & Families. Shabo discusses the unique challenges posed to low-wage Latino workers. Tuesday, August 16, 2011 The full report from the National Partnership for Women & Families is available online in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact Sadie Kliner of the National Partnership at (202) 986-2600. |
Flexible Workplace Solutions for Low-Wage Hourly Workers A report released by Workplace Flexibility 2010 and the Institute for Workplace Innovation (iwin) includes key findings on the scheduling challenges facing low-wage hourly workers. The report, “Flexible Workplace Solutions for Low-Wage Hourly Workers: A Framework for a National Conversation,” discusses similarities and differences between scheduling challenges for low-wage hourly workers on standard 9 to 5 schedules and those workers on nonstandard schedules, and the implications for employer practice and public policy. This podcast features the report’s authors discussing its findings and implications for policymakers. Jennifer Swanberg is executive director of the Institute for Workplace Innovation at the University of Kentucky, where she is also an associate professor, and Liz Watson is executive director of the Georgetown Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy. A press release about the report can be found here; the executive summary and full report are also available on the website of Workplace Flexibility 2010. For more information, contact Workplace Flexibility 2010 at 202-662-9595. Wednesday, June 15, 2011 |
Saving Money by Improving Conditions for Lower-Wage Workers Dr. Jody Heymann of the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy released a report, “Profit at the Bottom of the Ladder.” The report, published by the Harvard Business Review, shows how companies throughout the world, including companies in the United States, have improved their bottom lines by improving working conditions for lower-wage workers. Heymann is featured discussing the report in this podcast. A summary of the report and recommendations can be obtained at www.mcgill.ca/ihsp. For more information, contact Dr. Jody Heymann at (514) 398-2436. Friday, May 21, 2010 |
Working During H1N1 Outbreak The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) released a report entitled “Sick At Work: Infected Employees in the Workplace During the H1N1 Pandemic.” The report estimates that 8 million people went to work with the flu during the recent outbreak. A large proportion of those workers who went to work probably did so because they lacked even a day of paid sick leave -- more than 40 percent of all workers don't have paid sick leave. Dr. Kevin Miller, a senior research associate at IWPR, is featured in this podcast talking about the report. The report can be found at: http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/B284sickatwork.pdf. For more information, contact Kevin Miller at (202) 785-3398. Monday, March 1, 2010 |
Swine Flu and Family Leave This podcast focuses on President Obama’s call for schoolchildren to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms. For them to do so, parents must be able to take sick time – an option only half of all Americans have, forcing many people – especially low-wage workers – to chose between their jobs and their families’ health. Ellen Wallace of Greater Boston Legal Services and Sangita Nayak of 9to5 discuss the issue. For more information, contact Ms. Wallace at (617) 603-1672, or Ms. Nayak at (414) 274-0920. Friday, Septmber 18, 2009 |
Swine Flu and Sick Days This podcast focuses on policymaker calls for workers to stay home from their job if they have flu-like symptoms. But, only half of all American workers have paid sick days with their employer. And, low-wage workers are even less likely to have paid sick days. Heather Boushey of the Center for American Progress talks about the issue. For more information, contact Heather Boushey at (202) 741-6247. Wednesday, May 6, 2009 |
Retirement USA This 5-minute podcast features Karen Friedman of the Pension Rights Center talking about America’s retirement system. The current system fails low-wage workers. For more information, contact Karen Friedman at (202) 296-3776. More information on Retirement USA can be found at www.retirement-usa.org. Thursday, April 2, 2009 |
Paid Leave in the States: A Critical Support for Low-wage Workers and Their Families The National Center for Children in Poverty has released a report on paid family leave. Since 1993, millions of workers have taken unpaid family leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Now, the NCCP argues that it is time to consider paid family leave. This 5-minute podcast details the issues involved. For more information, contact Sarah Fass at (646) 284-9692. The report can be obtained at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_864.html. Monday, March 16, 2009 |
Principles for State Implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act The Work Poor Families Project (WPFP) issued a statement listing seven principles it hopes national policymakers will follow, that target low-wage workers as part of the newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This 5-minute podcast features Deborah Povich of WPFP talking about the principles. For more information, contact Deborah Povich at (434) 990-4220. The report can be obtained at http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/pdfs/ARRA_principles.pdf. Tuesday, March 3, 2009 |
Budgeting for Basic Needs: A Struggle for Working Families This podcast features Kinsey Alden Dinan of Columbia University’s National Center for Children in Poverty. She talks about a report entitled “Budgeting for Basic Needs: A Struggle for Working Families,” that was released on March 3. The report addresses the inadequacy of low wages and the difficult choices they force on low-wage families. For more information, contact: Kinsey Alden Dinan at (646) 284-9638. The report can be obtained at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_858.html. Tuesday, March 3, 2009 |