Labor Markets
New technologies and digital platforms are transforming labor markets through the rise of “gig,” contract, and other forms of independent work. But in Washington there is significant pushback on these jobs, with policymakers and agencies attempting to use 20th-century regulations to hamper a growing workforce. Mercatus research identifies barriers preventing workers from adapting to the evolving economy and provides policy reforms that can build the foundation of tomorrow’s workforce today.
Latest work in Labor Markets
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The Economic Situation, September 2023
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
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Labor and the Gig Economy, Technology Startups, and Entrepreneurship | "Dialogue With Manhar"
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
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March Jobs and Unemployment Reports | American Radio Journal
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- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
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- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
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- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
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- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
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- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
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- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Labor Department Ignores the Costs of its New Rule for Independent Contractors | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Don't Be Fooled: Workers Still Share in Rising Productivity | Creators Syndicate
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Analyzing the Impact of the Department of Labor's Rule on Restricting Independent Contracting
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What Productivity-Pay Gap? | EconLib
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Link Between Productivity and Wages Is Strong | National Review's "The Corner"
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, September 2023
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Labor and the Gig Economy, Technology Startups, and Entrepreneurship | "Dialogue With Manhar"
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Abundant Work Opportunities Can Revitalize the American Dream | Discourse
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
March Jobs and Unemployment Reports | American Radio Journal
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
What Is the State of the Gig Economy? | The Curious Task Podcast
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The State of the Gig Economy | Bloomberg TV
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Labor Department Ignores the Costs of its New Rule for Independent Contractors | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Don't Be Fooled: Workers Still Share in Rising Productivity | Creators Syndicate
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Analyzing the Impact of the Department of Labor's Rule on Restricting Independent Contracting
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What Productivity-Pay Gap? | EconLib
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Link Between Productivity and Wages Is Strong | National Review's "The Corner"
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Will Congress Play Politics With the Pro Act, or Listen to Workers?
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- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Employment Options, Not Labor Unions, Are the Real Source of Bargaining Power for Workers
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Three Ways That Workers Can Be Underpaid
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Is the Economy Rebounding or Is the Unemployment Rate Wrong?
The surprising answer is “both”
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Real Unemployment Rate Is Probably Higher Than Anyone Realizes
But the sky isn’t falling (yet)
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What’s the REAL Unemployment Rate? Introducing the “Pandemic Furlough Rate”
While no single statistic can tell the whole story, the pandemic furlough rate attempts to give a more accurate labor market picture
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Economy Looks Like It’s Falling Apart, But That’s the Plan to Fight COVID-19
Keep calm and flatten the curve
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Job Growth Skyrockets, But the Coronavirus Looms
No one seems to be talking about the long-run economic effects of COVID-19
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Labor Market Shrugs Off Strikes, But the Blade Runner Economy Isn’t Here Yet
Tight labor markets mean good conditions for bargaining, but also possibly more automation
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
California’s Assembly Bill 5 Shows How Good Intentions Can Lead to Bad Consequences
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Comprehensive Jobless Rate Hits New All-Time Low
- | Government Spending Government Spending
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US Economy Sprints Through the Finish Line
June shows strong job growth as expansion becomes the longest ever
- | Corporate Welfare Corporate Welfare
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Texas Reclogs the Pipes on Occupational Licensing
- | Labor Markets Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Smooth Economic Sailing Hits Headwinds
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- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Springtime Surge in Jobs Growth
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Good Times Keep Rolling with March Job Report
The March 2019 Jobs Report
- | Government Spending Government Spending
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Is the Sky Falling?
The February 2019 Jobs Report
- | Government Spending Government Spending
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When Good Economic News Becomes Boring
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- | Government Spending Government Spending
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