Understanding and addressing the challenges of job loss for low-wage workers
When it comes to the debate over job loss and related
programs, America’s low-wage workers seem to get
little attention. Research and policy discussions about
the impact of job loss on U.S. workers tend to focus
on workers who have long work experience in skilled
positions. In particular, research and programs often
focus on the “displaced worker,” defined as an employee
who loses his or her job due to plant closures or
relocation, insufficient work available, or positions or
shifts being eliminated. In this era of technological
change and global competition, the term conjures up
images of high-tech jobs moved overseas and factory
production workers increasingly replaced by automated
processes. By definition, these workers are relatively
“long tenured.” The focus on experienced workers is
repeated among those who conduct research on job
loss. For example, although the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) collects data on the full spectrum of
displaced workers, it analyzes and publishes data only
on those workers who held the job they were displaced
from for at least three years. Many policy responses
favor these workers as well. “Trade Adjustment Act”
programs, “Rapid Response” initiatives, and high-tech
training programs are all designed to meet the needs
of this category of workers.