The Shift Project
@shift-project.bsky.social
National survey data & precarious employment research |
@Kennedy_School & @UCSF(formerly @UCBerkeley) | #Scheduling #ServiceSector #EssentialWorkers #Health
shift.hks.harvard.edu
@Kennedy_School & @UCSF(formerly @UCBerkeley) | #Scheduling #ServiceSector #EssentialWorkers #Health
shift.hks.harvard.edu
4/5 - Falling into an exemption category is associated with a lower likelihood of being offered ESI. Workers are nearly 30, 25, and 8 percentage points less likely to be offered ESI if at a franchised firm, work part time, and have been at a firm for less than one year, respectively.
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
4/5 - Falling into an exemption category is associated with a lower likelihood of being offered ESI. Workers are nearly 30, 25, and 8 percentage points less likely to be offered ESI if at a franchised firm, work part time, and have been at a firm for less than one year, respectively.
3/5 - Using the Shift Project’s measures of firm franchise status (used as a proxy for firm size), part-time status, and tenure, we find that nearly 60% of hourly service-sector workers fall into at least one of the exemption categories. @dschneider.bsky.social @gabyaboulafia.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
3/5 - Using the Shift Project’s measures of firm franchise status (used as a proxy for firm size), part-time status, and tenure, we find that nearly 60% of hourly service-sector workers fall into at least one of the exemption categories. @dschneider.bsky.social @gabyaboulafia.bsky.social
7/7 Amazon’s fissured employment model may have helped it overtake UPS and FedEx in market share, but it has very troubling implications for workers – and, given its size and influence, how Amazon treats its workers has effects that reach well beyond its own workforce.
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
7/7 Amazon’s fissured employment model may have helped it overtake UPS and FedEx in market share, but it has very troubling implications for workers – and, given its size and influence, how Amazon treats its workers has effects that reach well beyond its own workforce.
6/7 But one shared experience among Amazon’s warehouse workers and delivery drivers? Being exposed to a high degree of surveillance and speed tracking on the job. Simply put, as one Amazon worker told us: “They know everything.”
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
6/7 But one shared experience among Amazon’s warehouse workers and delivery drivers? Being exposed to a high degree of surveillance and speed tracking on the job. Simply put, as one Amazon worker told us: “They know everything.”
5/7 Amazon drivers’ challenges don’t stop at lower wages – they also have much less access to benefits like paid sick leave. The result: one in four report going hungry in the past month, & one in three report not being able to fully pay their utilities bills in the past month.
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
5/7 Amazon drivers’ challenges don’t stop at lower wages – they also have much less access to benefits like paid sick leave. The result: one in four report going hungry in the past month, & one in three report not being able to fully pay their utilities bills in the past month.
4/7 On average, Amazon warehouse workers benefit from having more stable schedules than UPS and FedEx warehouse workers, but Amazon delivery drivers don’t have the same edge over UPS and FedEx drivers – illustrating the divide between Amazon’s delivery and fulfillment operations.
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
4/7 On average, Amazon warehouse workers benefit from having more stable schedules than UPS and FedEx warehouse workers, but Amazon delivery drivers don’t have the same edge over UPS and FedEx drivers – illustrating the divide between Amazon’s delivery and fulfillment operations.
3/7 A critical contrast: the entire UPS workforce is directly employed & unionized, while Amazon’s workforce is highly fissured. None of its delivery drivers are actually Amazon employees; they are either independent gig workers (Amazon Flex) or employees of subcontracted DSPs.
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
3/7 A critical contrast: the entire UPS workforce is directly employed & unionized, while Amazon’s workforce is highly fissured. None of its delivery drivers are actually Amazon employees; they are either independent gig workers (Amazon Flex) or employees of subcontracted DSPs.
2/7 We find that Amazon delivery drivers earn much lower wages on average than UPS or FedEx drivers, partially because Amazon workers rarely stick around for multiple years – and their pay hardly increases if they do. @dschneider.bsky.social @profsheenalives.bsky.social @juliesulabor.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
2/7 We find that Amazon delivery drivers earn much lower wages on average than UPS or FedEx drivers, partially because Amazon workers rarely stick around for multiple years – and their pay hardly increases if they do. @dschneider.bsky.social @profsheenalives.bsky.social @juliesulabor.bsky.social
7/8 – Notably, FSI young workers also tend to be employed in some of the least supportive sectors, such as fast food.
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
7/8 – Notably, FSI young workers also tend to be employed in some of the least supportive sectors, such as fast food.
6/8 – Importantly, these workplace experiences don’t just impact these workers at work – they also impact them off the clock, with large associated changes in psychological distress.
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
6/8 – Importantly, these workplace experiences don’t just impact these workers at work – they also impact them off the clock, with large associated changes in psychological distress.
5/8 – FSI workers are also more likely to feel physical unsafe at work, experience discrimination, and experience customer abuse. All of these negative experiences are associated with significant drops in job satisfaction and intent to stay in one’s current job.
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
5/8 – FSI workers are also more likely to feel physical unsafe at work, experience discrimination, and experience customer abuse. All of these negative experiences are associated with significant drops in job satisfaction and intent to stay in one’s current job.
4/8 FSI workers also report less support from supervisors and coworkers, and more punitive discipline. Notably, they are 5.7 percentage points more likely to report being ridiculed, which has a very large effect on job outcomes. @harvardkennedy.bsky.social @ucsfhealth.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
4/8 FSI workers also report less support from supervisors and coworkers, and more punitive discipline. Notably, they are 5.7 percentage points more likely to report being ridiculed, which has a very large effect on job outcomes. @harvardkennedy.bsky.social @ucsfhealth.bsky.social
3/8 – FSI workers face more disrespect and bullying from supervisors/coworkers, deeply affecting job outcomes. Those who feel respected by their supervisor report a 51-point increase in job satisfaction. @dschneider.bsky.social @kristenharknett.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
3/8 – FSI workers face more disrespect and bullying from supervisors/coworkers, deeply affecting job outcomes. Those who feel respected by their supervisor report a 51-point increase in job satisfaction. @dschneider.bsky.social @kristenharknett.bsky.social
2/8 - Formerly systems involved (FSI) young workers report overall more negative onboarding experiences as compared to their non-involved peers. Positive onboarding experiences significantly impact job outcomes including job satisfaction and intent to stay in one’s current job.
August 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
2/8 - Formerly systems involved (FSI) young workers report overall more negative onboarding experiences as compared to their non-involved peers. Positive onboarding experiences significantly impact job outcomes including job satisfaction and intent to stay in one’s current job.
5/7 - 💼 Important finding: No evidence firms offset PSL costs through other channels of adjustment. No cuts to wages, health insurance, retirement benefits, or schedule stability. This addresses key concern about unintended consequences of mandates.
July 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
5/7 - 💼 Important finding: No evidence firms offset PSL costs through other channels of adjustment. No cuts to wages, health insurance, retirement benefits, or schedule stability. This addresses key concern about unintended consequences of mandates.
4/7 - 📈 Key findings: PSL mandates increased worker access to paid sick leave from 46% to 62% in treatment states, while control states saw minimal change (37% to 39%). Workers also 3pp less likely to work while sick when PSL laws in effect. #PublicHealth
July 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
4/7 - 📈 Key findings: PSL mandates increased worker access to paid sick leave from 46% to 62% in treatment states, while control states saw minimal change (37% to 39%). Workers also 3pp less likely to work while sick when PSL laws in effect. #PublicHealth
3/5 How does exposure to technology affect how much older workers like their jobs? Sales tech was not shown to impact job satisfaction or retention, but exposure to surveillance tech that punishes workers for slowness was associated with a higher likelihood of intending to look for a new job.
July 3, 2025 at 1:48 PM
3/5 How does exposure to technology affect how much older workers like their jobs? Sales tech was not shown to impact job satisfaction or retention, but exposure to surveillance tech that punishes workers for slowness was associated with a higher likelihood of intending to look for a new job.
6/8 - INDOOR workers feel trapped by heat: many stick their heads in FREEZERS or retreat to cars with AC during breaks. 88% can't control their workplace AC, and some need central CORPORATE APPROVAL just to adjust the thermostat. #WorkerSafety
June 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
6/8 - INDOOR workers feel trapped by heat: many stick their heads in FREEZERS or retreat to cars with AC during breaks. 88% can't control their workplace AC, and some need central CORPORATE APPROVAL just to adjust the thermostat. #WorkerSafety
5/8 - ⚠️ Indoor heat exposure has serious health consequences: 61% of workers had heat-related headaches, 58% fatigue, 43% nausea, and 17% dangerous heart rate spikes. With more heat waves, workers across all types of workplaces are at risk. 🌡️
June 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
5/8 - ⚠️ Indoor heat exposure has serious health consequences: 61% of workers had heat-related headaches, 58% fatigue, 43% nausea, and 17% dangerous heart rate spikes. With more heat waves, workers across all types of workplaces are at risk. 🌡️
4/8 - 🏪 The problem spans ALL service industries - it's not just the "obvious" hot spots:
While warehouses (63%) and fast-food kitchens (58%) top the list, workers at coffee shops (41%), retail stores (40%), and even pharmacies face dangerous heat exposure.
While warehouses (63%) and fast-food kitchens (58%) top the list, workers at coffee shops (41%), retail stores (40%), and even pharmacies face dangerous heat exposure.
June 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
4/8 - 🏪 The problem spans ALL service industries - it's not just the "obvious" hot spots:
While warehouses (63%) and fast-food kitchens (58%) top the list, workers at coffee shops (41%), retail stores (40%), and even pharmacies face dangerous heat exposure.
While warehouses (63%) and fast-food kitchens (58%) top the list, workers at coffee shops (41%), retail stores (40%), and even pharmacies face dangerous heat exposure.
3/8 - 🔥 Heat exposure in the workplace is the norm, not the exception, even for indoor workers:
• 65% of indoor service sector workers feel overheated at work
• 45% experience temps over 80°F (OSHA's danger threshold)
This isn't just about outdoor work or kitchens anymore.
• 65% of indoor service sector workers feel overheated at work
• 45% experience temps over 80°F (OSHA's danger threshold)
This isn't just about outdoor work or kitchens anymore.
June 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
3/8 - 🔥 Heat exposure in the workplace is the norm, not the exception, even for indoor workers:
• 65% of indoor service sector workers feel overheated at work
• 45% experience temps over 80°F (OSHA's danger threshold)
This isn't just about outdoor work or kitchens anymore.
• 65% of indoor service sector workers feel overheated at work
• 45% experience temps over 80°F (OSHA's danger threshold)
This isn't just about outdoor work or kitchens anymore.
7/7 - The increase in California’s fast food minimum wage has significantly boosted workers’ wages, and without adverse impacts on scheduling stability or benefits. Still, there is much more work to be done to improve job quality in the fast food industry.
November 13, 2024 at 4:32 PM
7/7 - The increase in California’s fast food minimum wage has significantly boosted workers’ wages, and without adverse impacts on scheduling stability or benefits. Still, there is much more work to be done to improve job quality in the fast food industry.
6/7 - Employers could have adjusted to the minimum wage increase by cutting benefits offered to employees, but we see no change in workers’ access to benefits like health insurance and paid sick leave.
November 13, 2024 at 4:32 PM
6/7 - Employers could have adjusted to the minimum wage increase by cutting benefits offered to employees, but we see no change in workers’ access to benefits like health insurance and paid sick leave.
5/7 - We find no evidence that fast food employers reduced workers’ hours or schedule stability in response to the minimum wage increase. There is also no evidence that workers suffered more labor violations, like wage theft, after the increase.
November 13, 2024 at 4:32 PM
5/7 - We find no evidence that fast food employers reduced workers’ hours or schedule stability in response to the minimum wage increase. There is also no evidence that workers suffered more labor violations, like wage theft, after the increase.
4/7 - Shift data show that California fast food workers experienced an average pay raise of $2.50/hour after the minimum wage hike. Noncompliance exists, but the share of workers earning less than $20/hour dropped by 60 pp. against fast food workers in comparison states.
November 13, 2024 at 4:32 PM
4/7 - Shift data show that California fast food workers experienced an average pay raise of $2.50/hour after the minimum wage hike. Noncompliance exists, but the share of workers earning less than $20/hour dropped by 60 pp. against fast food workers in comparison states.