MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
@mitiwer.bsky.social
IWER is a multidisciplinary hub for the study of work & employment, housed at the MIT Sloan School of Management but including researchers from other parts of MIT. Learn more: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/institute-work-and-employment-research/about-iwer
What happens when manufacturing companies regularly incorporate worker feedback and ideas into their production processes? Productivity is generally higher—and so is production worker pay. New findings from Dylan Nelson of UIUC & @natewilmers.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/4vhswpvr
tinyurl.com/4vhswpvr
The Effects of Worker Voice on Manufacturing Pay and Productivity | MIT Sloan
New research finds that when manufacturing companies regularly incorporate worker feedback and ideas, both productivity and worker pay are generally higher.
tinyurl.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
What happens when manufacturing companies regularly incorporate worker feedback and ideas into their production processes? Productivity is generally higher—and so is production worker pay. New findings from Dylan Nelson of UIUC & @natewilmers.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social:
tinyurl.com/4vhswpvr
tinyurl.com/4vhswpvr
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
New WP: We study how minimum wage increases affect poverty and food hardship in the U.S from 1981-2019. Different from recent work, we study the Supplemental Poverty Measure + two measures of food hardship, factor in cost-of-living differences, and more. www.iza.org/publications...
September 29, 2025 at 12:34 PM
New WP: We study how minimum wage increases affect poverty and food hardship in the U.S from 1981-2019. Different from recent work, we study the Supplemental Poverty Measure + two measures of food hardship, factor in cost-of-living differences, and more. www.iza.org/publications...
How Meritocracy Can Backfire--and 5 Steps to Address That: Highlights of the new book "The Meritocracy Paradox" by MIT Sloan Professor Emilio J. Castilla, Co-Director of @mitiwer.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/4ybsd3xj
How Meritocracy Can Backfire — and Five Steps to Address It | MIT Sloan
A new book by MIT Sloan professor Emilio J. Castilla offers managers and leaders a practical, data-driven roadmap for building fairer and more effective talent management systems.
tinyurl.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
How Meritocracy Can Backfire--and 5 Steps to Address That: Highlights of the new book "The Meritocracy Paradox" by MIT Sloan Professor Emilio J. Castilla, Co-Director of @mitiwer.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/4ybsd3xj
Congratulations to Tom Kochan @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social & Adam Seth Litwin and Ariel Avgar, both of @cornellilr.bsky.social! They have won an @equitablegrowth.bsky.social grant to study the effects of worker input on #AI strategies at @KaiserPermanente: tinyurl.com/mrybem8x
Bringing Worker Voice into the Development, Design, and Use of AI: A Case Study of the Labor Management Partnership at Kaiser Permanente
As AI transforms health care, workers must have a say in its development, design, and implementation to ensure fair outcomes for both employees and patients. The proposed study examines the Labor Mana...
tinyurl.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Congratulations to Tom Kochan @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social & Adam Seth Litwin and Ariel Avgar, both of @cornellilr.bsky.social! They have won an @equitablegrowth.bsky.social grant to study the effects of worker input on #AI strategies at @KaiserPermanente: tinyurl.com/mrybem8x
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
For their project, #EGgrantee(s) Adam Seth Litwin & Ariel Avgar of @cornellilr.bsky.social sky.social, along with Thomas Kochan of @mitiwer.bsky.social will use a case study to assess whether jointly negotiated AI strategies improve job quality and patient care.
equitablegrowth.org/grants/bring...
equitablegrowth.org/grants/bring...
September 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
For their project, #EGgrantee(s) Adam Seth Litwin & Ariel Avgar of @cornellilr.bsky.social sky.social, along with Thomas Kochan of @mitiwer.bsky.social will use a case study to assess whether jointly negotiated AI strategies improve job quality and patient care.
equitablegrowth.org/grants/bring...
equitablegrowth.org/grants/bring...
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
At the blog I wrote about a new paper by @natewilmers.bsky.social , @zparolin.bsky.social , and @lukaslehner.bsky.social .
We're living in a novel era of inequality discordance. What's going on?!
asocial.substack.com/p/inequality...
We're living in a novel era of inequality discordance. What's going on?!
asocial.substack.com/p/inequality...
May 27, 2025 at 11:09 AM
At the blog I wrote about a new paper by @natewilmers.bsky.social , @zparolin.bsky.social , and @lukaslehner.bsky.social .
We're living in a novel era of inequality discordance. What's going on?!
asocial.substack.com/p/inequality...
We're living in a novel era of inequality discordance. What's going on?!
asocial.substack.com/p/inequality...
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
Are decredentialed jobs a route to upward mobility? Prominent employers, from Microsoft to the State of Maryland, are increasingly dropping college degree requirements when hiring. Does this provide upward mobility for workers without a college degree? Matching job postings to h
#sociology link
#sociology link
August 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Are decredentialed jobs a route to upward mobility? Prominent employers, from Microsoft to the State of Maryland, are increasingly dropping college degree requirements when hiring. Does this provide upward mobility for workers without a college degree? Matching job postings to h
#sociology link
#sociology link
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
This paper from @tomlyttelton.bsky.social and @natewilmers.bsky.social is amazing. It shows that removing educational requirements can have big impacts for workers...except that employers don't really hire those workers below the normal education level anyway.
Are decredentialed jobs a route to upward mobility? Prominent employers, from Microsoft to the State of Maryland, are increasingly dropping college degree requirements when hiring. Does this provide upward mobility for workers without a college degree? Matching job postings to h
#sociology link
#sociology link
September 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This paper from @tomlyttelton.bsky.social and @natewilmers.bsky.social is amazing. It shows that removing educational requirements can have big impacts for workers...except that employers don't really hire those workers below the normal education level anyway.
"Leaders cannot simply copy and paste their talent practices from others. They need diagnostic tools to assess their own organizations, identify their unique challenges, and adapt solutions & processes strategically..."—Emilio Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yc462b38
The Meritocracy Paradox: A Strategic Risk—and Opportunity—for Leaders - CEOWORLD magazine
In boardrooms, annual letters, and investor calls worldwide, one refrain often echoes: People are our most valuable asset. Few CEOs or investors would dare disagree. Talent fuels growth, sparks innova...
tinyurl.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
"Leaders cannot simply copy and paste their talent practices from others. They need diagnostic tools to assess their own organizations, identify their unique challenges, and adapt solutions & processes strategically..."—Emilio Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yc462b38
Congratulations to Emilio J. Castilla, Co-Director of @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social! He has been named to the shortlist for the 2025 Thinkers50 Talent Award for his new book "The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them": tinyurl.com/3mt777d3
Thinkers50 Ranking & Awards Nominations 2025
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Thinkers50 Ranking and Distinguished Achievement Awards.
tinyurl.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Congratulations to Emilio J. Castilla, Co-Director of @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social! He has been named to the shortlist for the 2025 Thinkers50 Talent Award for his new book "The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them": tinyurl.com/3mt777d3
What is a workplace health and well-being committee--and why do you need one? Learn more in this new article from @mitsloan.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/4w2bubd7
What is a workplace health and well-being committee — and why do you need one? | MIT Sloan
HaWCs can be a cost-effective way to reduce turnover among front-line employees and save your organization money.
tinyurl.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
What is a workplace health and well-being committee--and why do you need one? Learn more in this new article from @mitsloan.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/4w2bubd7
IWER's August 2025 newsletter is now available online. The title of this issue is "'The Meritocracy Paradox' and More: New Works from IWER Researchers.” Read the August newsletter here: tinyurl.com/yk7bbc9p
August 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
IWER's August 2025 newsletter is now available online. The title of this issue is "'The Meritocracy Paradox' and More: New Works from IWER Researchers.” Read the August newsletter here: tinyurl.com/yk7bbc9p
New research from @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social & @hsph.harvard.edu
finds that workplace health and well-being committees (HaWCs) can result in lower turnover & improvements in workers’ mental health. Read our new guide for managers about starting a HaWC program: tinyurl.com/yvs46sap
finds that workplace health and well-being committees (HaWCs) can result in lower turnover & improvements in workers’ mental health. Read our new guide for managers about starting a HaWC program: tinyurl.com/yvs46sap
Starting a Workplace Health and Well-Being Committee: A Step-By-Step Guide for Managers | MIT Sloan
In this guide, you will learn about the benefits of workplace Health and Well-Being Committees and gain information about how to set them up.
tinyurl.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
New research from @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social & @hsph.harvard.edu
finds that workplace health and well-being committees (HaWCs) can result in lower turnover & improvements in workers’ mental health. Read our new guide for managers about starting a HaWC program: tinyurl.com/yvs46sap
finds that workplace health and well-being committees (HaWCs) can result in lower turnover & improvements in workers’ mental health. Read our new guide for managers about starting a HaWC program: tinyurl.com/yvs46sap
New in the @columbiaup.bsky.social blog: Professor Emilio J. Castilla of @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social, explains some key findings from his new book “The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them”: tinyurl.com/5dtrfnm6
Emilio J. Castilla in Conversation with Renee Bales About The Meritocracy Paradox - Columbia University Press Blog
In this interview, Emilio J. Castilla and Renee Bales discuss the strengths and limitations of meritocracy, the state of merit-based evaluation practices today, and more.
tinyurl.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
New in the @columbiaup.bsky.social blog: Professor Emilio J. Castilla of @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social, explains some key findings from his new book “The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them”: tinyurl.com/5dtrfnm6
“The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them,” a new book by @mitsloan.bsky.social Professor Emilio J. Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social, will be published soon by @columbiaup.bsky.social & is now available for preorder: tinyurl.com/56cvrzan
Announcing Emilio Castilla’s New Book “The Meritocracy Paradox” | MIT Sloan
MIT Sloan Professor Emilio J. Castilla’s new book, "The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them," will be published soon by Columbia University Press and i...
tinyurl.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“The Meritocracy Paradox: Where Talent Management Strategies Go Wrong and How to Fix Them,” a new book by @mitsloan.bsky.social Professor Emilio J. Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social, will be published soon by @columbiaup.bsky.social & is now available for preorder: tinyurl.com/56cvrzan
Check out our new MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research compendium highlighting research on work and well-being :
tinyurl.com/3wpwuydy
tinyurl.com/3wpwuydy
Work and Well-Being: An IWER Research Compendium | MIT Sloan
This collection of links highlights some of the research and analysis on work and well-being that has been conducted in recent years by scholars affiliated with the MIT Institute for Work and Employme...
tinyurl.com
June 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Check out our new MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research compendium highlighting research on work and well-being :
tinyurl.com/3wpwuydy
tinyurl.com/3wpwuydy
You might not think that forming a committee where frontline workers can share work-related health & well-being concerns would have all that much effect on a workplace.
But it can. That’s what @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social & colleagues found in a recent study: tinyurl.com/y4pej88v
But it can. That’s what @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social & colleagues found in a recent study: tinyurl.com/y4pej88v
The Surprising Potential of Health and Well-Being Committees | MIT Sloan
MIT Sloan Professor Erin L. Kelly, who is Co-Director of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER), found in a recent multiyear study in e-commerce warehouses that establishing Health ...
tinyurl.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
You might not think that forming a committee where frontline workers can share work-related health & well-being concerns would have all that much effect on a workplace.
But it can. That’s what @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social & colleagues found in a recent study: tinyurl.com/y4pej88v
But it can. That’s what @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social & colleagues found in a recent study: tinyurl.com/y4pej88v
There’s a succession dispute at the Mass.-based family-owned supermarket chain Market Basket, according to @bostonglobe.com. What would help? A mediator, advises Tom Kochan @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social. The situation needs “fewer lawyers,” according to Kochan: tinyurl.com/yhczt6mp
The Market Basket saga: This time, the family feud is over succession. Will employees and shoppers care? - The Boston Globe
A spokesperson for the CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas, says his sisters don’t want his children to take over when he retires.
tinyurl.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:52 PM
There’s a succession dispute at the Mass.-based family-owned supermarket chain Market Basket, according to @bostonglobe.com. What would help? A mediator, advises Tom Kochan @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social. The situation needs “fewer lawyers,” according to Kochan: tinyurl.com/yhczt6mp
The Spring 2025 newsletter of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research is now available online. The theme of this issue is "Exploring the Connections Between Work and Well-Being." Read it here: tinyurl.com/3uw29wsj
May 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The Spring 2025 newsletter of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research is now available online. The theme of this issue is "Exploring the Connections Between Work and Well-Being." Read it here: tinyurl.com/3uw29wsj
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
Virtual registration is still open for the "Minimum Wages & Monopsony Power" conference! Featuring an all-star lineup of labor economists, this one-day event also honors career of Dr. Michael Reich.
📅 June 6, 2025 | 8am - 5pm
🔗 Register today: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...
📅 June 6, 2025 | 8am - 5pm
🔗 Register today: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...
May 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Virtual registration is still open for the "Minimum Wages & Monopsony Power" conference! Featuring an all-star lineup of labor economists, this one-day event also honors career of Dr. Michael Reich.
📅 June 6, 2025 | 8am - 5pm
🔗 Register today: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...
📅 June 6, 2025 | 8am - 5pm
🔗 Register today: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...
In a new essay for @equitablegrowth.bsky.social, @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social reflects on America's job-quality crisis, how it fuels anger & fear that right-wing populist politicians capitalize on, and how to improve working conditions: tinyurl.com/2k2v35xz
America’s job-quality crisis and how to revive workers’ pay, dignity, job advancement, and economic well-being
This essay focuses on the drivers of the job-quality crisis and concrete policy responses to address those drivers.
tinyurl.com
May 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
In a new essay for @equitablegrowth.bsky.social, @elkelly.bsky.social @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social reflects on America's job-quality crisis, how it fuels anger & fear that right-wing populist politicians capitalize on, and how to improve working conditions: tinyurl.com/2k2v35xz
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
"The crisis of poor job quality has encouraged right-wing populist leaders to pitch divisive rhetoric to struggling workers and their families..."
@elkelly.bsky.social on drivers of poor job quality and concrete policy responses to address them 👇
#EssaySeries
equitablegrowth.org/americas-job...
@elkelly.bsky.social on drivers of poor job quality and concrete policy responses to address them 👇
#EssaySeries
equitablegrowth.org/americas-job...
America’s job-quality crisis and how to revive workers’ pay, dignity, job advancement, and economic well-being
This essay focuses on the drivers of the job-quality crisis and concrete policy responses to address those drivers.
equitablegrowth.org
May 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"The crisis of poor job quality has encouraged right-wing populist leaders to pitch divisive rhetoric to struggling workers and their families..."
@elkelly.bsky.social on drivers of poor job quality and concrete policy responses to address them 👇
#EssaySeries
equitablegrowth.org/americas-job...
@elkelly.bsky.social on drivers of poor job quality and concrete policy responses to address them 👇
#EssaySeries
equitablegrowth.org/americas-job...
Reposted by MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER)
Our #EssaySeries on "The Rise of Populism and the Future of Economic Policy" is now live!
It explores economic factors contributing to the rising support for authoritarian populism, as well as any potential policy solutions.
Learn more & see all essays here. ⬇️
equitablegrowth.org/insights-exp...
It explores economic factors contributing to the rising support for authoritarian populism, as well as any potential policy solutions.
Learn more & see all essays here. ⬇️
equitablegrowth.org/insights-exp...
May 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Our #EssaySeries on "The Rise of Populism and the Future of Economic Policy" is now live!
It explores economic factors contributing to the rising support for authoritarian populism, as well as any potential policy solutions.
Learn more & see all essays here. ⬇️
equitablegrowth.org/insights-exp...
It explores economic factors contributing to the rising support for authoritarian populism, as well as any potential policy solutions.
Learn more & see all essays here. ⬇️
equitablegrowth.org/insights-exp...
Meritocracy has become an increasingly popular term recently. But Emilio Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social explains that his research suggests that saying an organization is meritocratic can increase the odds of bias in people-related decisions.
tinyurl.com/muuna2j4
tinyurl.com/muuna2j4
The Trouble With Meritocracy
Explore the concept of meritocracy and its significance in today's corporate world, featuring insights from major companies.
tinyurl.com
May 19, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Meritocracy has become an increasingly popular term recently. But Emilio Castilla @mitiwer.bsky.social @mitsloan.bsky.social explains that his research suggests that saying an organization is meritocratic can increase the odds of bias in people-related decisions.
tinyurl.com/muuna2j4
tinyurl.com/muuna2j4
"College graduates this year are facing a very uncertain labor market," Tom Kochan of @mitiwer.bsky.social told Newsweek. "With employers not clear on whether the economy is going to go into a recession…the uncertainty is going to create a softer labor market…."
tinyurl.com/mpt44yc7
tinyurl.com/mpt44yc7
College graduates are feeling pessimistic about the job market. here's why
Why college grads are getting the cold shoulder from employers
tinyurl.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"College graduates this year are facing a very uncertain labor market," Tom Kochan of @mitiwer.bsky.social told Newsweek. "With employers not clear on whether the economy is going to go into a recession…the uncertainty is going to create a softer labor market…."
tinyurl.com/mpt44yc7
tinyurl.com/mpt44yc7