Upjohn Institute
@upjohninstitute.bsky.social
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is a nonpartisan, independent research organization, founded in 1945 to study policy-related employment issues and to implement workforce solutions. Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.upjohn.org/
Promise Net 2025 is kicking off in Kalamazoo! Several of the Upjohn Institute’s own will be speaking today alongside other experts and leaders in the promise movement. #Promisenet2025 #Yourpathyourpromise
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Promise Net 2025 is kicking off in Kalamazoo! Several of the Upjohn Institute’s own will be speaking today alongside other experts and leaders in the promise movement. #Promisenet2025 #Yourpathyourpromise
The Upjohn Institute announces its 2025 Dissertation Award winners.
First Prize:
Lukas Lehner (@lukaslehner.bsky.social)
“Beyond Unemployment: An Investigation of Social Policies to Empower Workers in a Changing World of Work” for Oxford University
www.upjohn.org/Upjohn-Insti...
First Prize:
Lukas Lehner (@lukaslehner.bsky.social)
“Beyond Unemployment: An Investigation of Social Policies to Empower Workers in a Changing World of Work” for Oxford University
www.upjohn.org/Upjohn-Insti...
Upjohn Institute announces 2025 Dissertation Award honorees
www.upjohn.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Upjohn Institute announces its 2025 Dissertation Award winners.
First Prize:
Lukas Lehner (@lukaslehner.bsky.social)
“Beyond Unemployment: An Investigation of Social Policies to Empower Workers in a Changing World of Work” for Oxford University
www.upjohn.org/Upjohn-Insti...
First Prize:
Lukas Lehner (@lukaslehner.bsky.social)
“Beyond Unemployment: An Investigation of Social Policies to Empower Workers in a Changing World of Work” for Oxford University
www.upjohn.org/Upjohn-Insti...
New research looks at who’s applying to Michigan Reconnect, the state’s tuition-free community college program for adults 25+. It turns out many are already well on the way to a degree or certificate.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
Michigan Reconnect program putting adults back on the path to a degree
www.upjohn.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
New research looks at who’s applying to Michigan Reconnect, the state’s tuition-free community college program for adults 25+. It turns out many are already well on the way to a degree or certificate.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
Mid-sized cities face a choice: grow together or grow apart. This new report, "10 Lessons in Public-Private Partnerships to Create Good Jobs," looks at lasting, broad-based prosperity.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
10 lessons for mid-sized cities: public-private partnerships and good jobs
www.upjohn.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Mid-sized cities face a choice: grow together or grow apart. This new report, "10 Lessons in Public-Private Partnerships to Create Good Jobs," looks at lasting, broad-based prosperity.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
"Rx Kids is an example of how a program designed to improve public health can also produce economic benefits for the community.”
- @bradhershbein.bsky.social, Upjohn Institute
Read the Upjohn Institute's analysis of the progam:
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
- @bradhershbein.bsky.social, Upjohn Institute
Read the Upjohn Institute's analysis of the progam:
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
October 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM
"Rx Kids is an example of how a program designed to improve public health can also produce economic benefits for the community.”
- @bradhershbein.bsky.social, Upjohn Institute
Read the Upjohn Institute's analysis of the progam:
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
- @bradhershbein.bsky.social, Upjohn Institute
Read the Upjohn Institute's analysis of the progam:
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
A new analysis by the Upjohn Institute finds that the Rx Kids program delivers measurable economic benefits to families and the broader local economy in Flint, Michigan. Read the full report
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
October 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A new analysis by the Upjohn Institute finds that the Rx Kids program delivers measurable economic benefits to families and the broader local economy in Flint, Michigan. Read the full report
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
What do older workers do when the value of their home falls?
For many, home equity is their biggest asset. When housing prices fall, most can’t work more to recover the loss. Instead, they claim Social Security earlier, which can reduce lifetime benefits. #EconSky #housing #socialsecurity
For many, home equity is their biggest asset. When housing prices fall, most can’t work more to recover the loss. Instead, they claim Social Security earlier, which can reduce lifetime benefits. #EconSky #housing #socialsecurity
Do older Americans work more when their housing wealth declines?
www.upjohn.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
What do older workers do when the value of their home falls?
For many, home equity is their biggest asset. When housing prices fall, most can’t work more to recover the loss. Instead, they claim Social Security earlier, which can reduce lifetime benefits. #EconSky #housing #socialsecurity
For many, home equity is their biggest asset. When housing prices fall, most can’t work more to recover the loss. Instead, they claim Social Security earlier, which can reduce lifetime benefits. #EconSky #housing #socialsecurity
New research from @aaronsojourner.org (Upjohn Inst.) and Joseph Pickens (USNA) finds that NYC’s Fair Workweek Law gave fast-food workers more predictable schedules without costing jobs. #LaborLaws #NYC #FairWorkWeek #EconSKy
Do fair workweek laws affect labor markets?
www.upjohn.org
October 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
New research from @aaronsojourner.org (Upjohn Inst.) and Joseph Pickens (USNA) finds that NYC’s Fair Workweek Law gave fast-food workers more predictable schedules without costing jobs. #LaborLaws #NYC #FairWorkWeek #EconSKy
Less than half of U.S. workers hold a quality job with predictable schedules, safety & respect, a voice at work, and room for advancement. The Upjohn Institute partnered on a new survey revealing critical gaps in job quality and why they matter.
Read more:
#Jobs #Workforce #econsky #JobQuality
Read more:
#Jobs #Workforce #econsky #JobQuality
Landmark study shows less than half of U.S. workers have a quality job
www.upjohn.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Less than half of U.S. workers hold a quality job with predictable schedules, safety & respect, a voice at work, and room for advancement. The Upjohn Institute partnered on a new survey revealing critical gaps in job quality and why they matter.
Read more:
#Jobs #Workforce #econsky #JobQuality
Read more:
#Jobs #Workforce #econsky #JobQuality
The Upjohn Institute's Mike Horrigan spoke to NPR's Marketplace about the recent BLS payroll revision. He noted the limitations in the “birth-death” model (jobs from new firm creation & losses from closures) that tend to overstate job growth during downturns.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
What the “birth-death” model can tell us about the economy
Its underperformance in recent years could be a sign of weakness in the labor market
www.marketplace.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The Upjohn Institute's Mike Horrigan spoke to NPR's Marketplace about the recent BLS payroll revision. He noted the limitations in the “birth-death” model (jobs from new firm creation & losses from closures) that tend to overstate job growth during downturns.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Rresearch by Mallika Thomas examines how students’ randomly assigned peers in business school affect the courses the students take, the types of jobs they enter, and their subsequent earnings.#EconSky
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
How peer groups affect the gender-wage gap (and life) after the MBA
www.upjohn.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Rresearch by Mallika Thomas examines how students’ randomly assigned peers in business school affect the courses the students take, the types of jobs they enter, and their subsequent earnings.#EconSky
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
AI exposure does not equal displacement. The future of work depends on whether AI substitutes for or complements human expertise. Read more in a new report from Upjohn Institute’s Erik Vasilauskas and @mikehorrigan.bsky.social #AI #econsky
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
AI exposure and the future of work
www.upjohn.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
AI exposure does not equal displacement. The future of work depends on whether AI substitutes for or complements human expertise. Read more in a new report from Upjohn Institute’s Erik Vasilauskas and @mikehorrigan.bsky.social #AI #econsky
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
The Upjohn Institute's New Hires Quality Index held at $22.15/hr, tying the 2025 high. But hiring volume slipped — down 0.3% from July, and 2.6% year over year. And men have regained ground. www.upjohn.org/news/new-hir...
New Hires Quality Index holds steady, even as men see a rebound
www.upjohn.org
October 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The Upjohn Institute's New Hires Quality Index held at $22.15/hr, tying the 2025 high. But hiring volume slipped — down 0.3% from July, and 2.6% year over year. And men have regained ground. www.upjohn.org/news/new-hir...
BLS payroll-data revisions deserve scrutiny, but the concern isn’t manipulation. It’s what the size of those revisions may be telling us about weakening labor markets & the need to modernize data collection. Analysis by Upjohn's @mikehorrigan.bsky.social
www.upjohn.org/bls-revision...
#econsky
www.upjohn.org/bls-revision...
#econsky
BLS revisions to payroll data are concerning, but not for the reasons the Trump administration thinks | Upjohn Institute
www.upjohn.org
September 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
BLS payroll-data revisions deserve scrutiny, but the concern isn’t manipulation. It’s what the size of those revisions may be telling us about weakening labor markets & the need to modernize data collection. Analysis by Upjohn's @mikehorrigan.bsky.social
www.upjohn.org/bls-revision...
#econsky
www.upjohn.org/bls-revision...
#econsky
The Upjohn Institute has studied tuition-free college programs for 20 years, starting with the Kalamazoo Promise in 2005. This work informed a movement that now includes 200+ programs. Read how research, collaboration and expertise helped inform this movement. #EduSky
www.upjohn.org/twenty-years...
www.upjohn.org/twenty-years...
Twenty years of leadership in the tuition-free college movement | Upjohn Institute
www.upjohn.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The Upjohn Institute has studied tuition-free college programs for 20 years, starting with the Kalamazoo Promise in 2005. This work informed a movement that now includes 200+ programs. Read how research, collaboration and expertise helped inform this movement. #EduSky
www.upjohn.org/twenty-years...
www.upjohn.org/twenty-years...
Measuring a college's value? It's more complicated than you think. A new study co-authored by Upjohn Institute's @bradhershbein.bsky.social reveals how graduates mobility - and where they end up - can skew traditional college accountability metrics.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
Grads on the go: why mobility complicates college accountability
www.upjohn.org
September 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Measuring a college's value? It's more complicated than you think. A new study co-authored by Upjohn Institute's @bradhershbein.bsky.social reveals how graduates mobility - and where they end up - can skew traditional college accountability metrics.
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
New Upjohn Institute report maps the economic challenges & opportunities shaping Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From workforce to industry strengths, here’s what’s ahead for the U.P.
#econsky #michigan #UpperPeninsula #EconomicDevelopment
#econsky #michigan #UpperPeninsula #EconomicDevelopment
New Upjohn Report Maps Economic Challenges and Opportunities for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
www.upjohn.org
September 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
New Upjohn Institute report maps the economic challenges & opportunities shaping Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From workforce to industry strengths, here’s what’s ahead for the U.P.
#econsky #michigan #UpperPeninsula #EconomicDevelopment
#econsky #michigan #UpperPeninsula #EconomicDevelopment
Mike Horrigan, president of the Upjohn Institute and former senior official at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, discusses the integrity of government economic statistics in Bloomberg. #econsky #econtwitter #BLS #jobs
Battle Over America’s Jobs Data, Australia's Gold Rush, Investing in India
YouTube video by Bloomberg Television
youtu.be
September 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Mike Horrigan, president of the Upjohn Institute and former senior official at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, discusses the integrity of government economic statistics in Bloomberg. #econsky #econtwitter #BLS #jobs
“There’s not like one person in a room who can manipulate things,” our @aaronsojourner.org tells @bencasselman.bsky.social at @nytimes.com “There are safeguards in place.”
#JobsDay
#JobsDay
Is the Jobs Data Still Reliable? Yes, at Least for Now.
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“There’s not like one person in a room who can manipulate things,” our @aaronsojourner.org tells @bencasselman.bsky.social at @nytimes.com “There are safeguards in place.”
#JobsDay
#JobsDay
Reposted by Upjohn Institute
As context, labor markets have been strong:
- low unemployment rate,
- high rate of worker job security with low rate of bosses firing staff (figure),
- few working part time due to lack of full time offer,
- wages growing,
- high participation and employment rates for 25-54 year olds…
- low unemployment rate,
- high rate of worker job security with low rate of bosses firing staff (figure),
- few working part time due to lack of full time offer,
- wages growing,
- high participation and employment rates for 25-54 year olds…
September 5, 2025 at 12:25 PM
As context, labor markets have been strong:
- low unemployment rate,
- high rate of worker job security with low rate of bosses firing staff (figure),
- few working part time due to lack of full time offer,
- wages growing,
- high participation and employment rates for 25-54 year olds…
- low unemployment rate,
- high rate of worker job security with low rate of bosses firing staff (figure),
- few working part time due to lack of full time offer,
- wages growing,
- high participation and employment rates for 25-54 year olds…
Each year, in the news release nearest Labor Day, New Hires Quality Index creator @bradhershbein.bsky.social compares the #NHQI with actual, reported wages of newly hired workers.
Doing so this year, Hershbein concludes that the economy looks increasingly fragile.
Doing so this year, Hershbein concludes that the economy looks increasingly fragile.
Economy looks increasingly fragile: Special Labor Day New Hires Quality Index
www.upjohn.org
September 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Each year, in the news release nearest Labor Day, New Hires Quality Index creator @bradhershbein.bsky.social compares the #NHQI with actual, reported wages of newly hired workers.
Doing so this year, Hershbein concludes that the economy looks increasingly fragile.
Doing so this year, Hershbein concludes that the economy looks increasingly fragile.
Reposted by Upjohn Institute
There's lots to be said for the "abundance" movement but it says too little about distressed places.
Interesting take from @timbartik.bsky.social
@dkthomp.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @yappelbaum.bsky.social @andreperryedu.bsky.social @brookings.edu @upjohninstitute.bsky.social
Interesting take from @timbartik.bsky.social
@dkthomp.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @yappelbaum.bsky.social @andreperryedu.bsky.social @brookings.edu @upjohninstitute.bsky.social
The link to the Brookings Metro piece is here: www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
The ‘abundance movement’ needs to help distressed places, not just booming ones | Brookings
A new, energetic push to tackle big problems is taking shape in progressive policy circles: the “abundance movement.”
www.brookings.edu
September 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
There's lots to be said for the "abundance" movement but it says too little about distressed places.
Interesting take from @timbartik.bsky.social
@dkthomp.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @yappelbaum.bsky.social @andreperryedu.bsky.social @brookings.edu @upjohninstitute.bsky.social
Interesting take from @timbartik.bsky.social
@dkthomp.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @yappelbaum.bsky.social @andreperryedu.bsky.social @brookings.edu @upjohninstitute.bsky.social
New thread from our @timbartik.bsky.social on the "Abundance Movement"
My papers arguing that the "Abundance Movement" needs broadening to include place-based jobs policies for distressed places are being released today, with a long paper at the Upjohn Institute & a shorter summary at Brookings Metro.
September 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
New thread from our @timbartik.bsky.social on the "Abundance Movement"
Megadeals can sometimes be justified—if they increase state residents’ earnings per capita by more than their costs, @timbartik.bsky.social writes for @bridgemi.com.
But this requires large multiplier effects on jobs, and locating jobs in areas with low employment and many workers seeking jobs.
But this requires large multiplier effects on jobs, and locating jobs in areas with low employment and many workers seeking jobs.
Opinion | Michigan, focus on economic development policies with proven bang for the buck - Bridge Michigan
As the state budget gets tighter, Michigan can make its economic development programs more productive in several ways.
bridgemi.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Megadeals can sometimes be justified—if they increase state residents’ earnings per capita by more than their costs, @timbartik.bsky.social writes for @bridgemi.com.
But this requires large multiplier effects on jobs, and locating jobs in areas with low employment and many workers seeking jobs.
But this requires large multiplier effects on jobs, and locating jobs in areas with low employment and many workers seeking jobs.
Reposted by Upjohn Institute
And state in all its econ development programs -- either cash incentives or business services -- should target distressed places, with low employment rates. In such places, job creation will boost employment rates more and in-migration less. In booming places, job creation mostly boosts in-migration
August 19, 2025 at 8:49 PM
And state in all its econ development programs -- either cash incentives or business services -- should target distressed places, with low employment rates. In such places, job creation will boost employment rates more and in-migration less. In booming places, job creation mostly boosts in-migration