Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Economics

Selected Works

Low wage labor markets

Articles 1 - 22 of 22

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek Feb 2015

Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek

George A. Erickcek

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg Feb 2015

The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg

George A. Erickcek

We examine why employers use temporary agency and contract company workers and the implications of these practices for the wages, benefits, and working conditions of workers in low-skilled labor markets. Through intensive case studies in manufacturing (automotive supply), services (hospitals), and public sector (primary and secondary schools) industries, we define the circumstances under which these workers are likely to be adversely affected, minimally affected, or even benefited by such outsourcing. Adverse effects on compensation are clearest when companies substitute agency temporaries or contract company workers for regular employees on a long-term basis because low-skilled workers within the organization receive relatively …


An Assessment Of The Bc Careers Employer Resource Network: Its Contributions To The Ern Model, Kevin Hollenbeck, George A. Erickcek, Bridget Timmeney Feb 2015

An Assessment Of The Bc Careers Employer Resource Network: Its Contributions To The Ern Model, Kevin Hollenbeck, George A. Erickcek, Bridget Timmeney

George A. Erickcek

No abstract provided.


Economic Development Recommendations That Focus On The "Working Poor": Lessons From Waco, George Erickcek, Don Edgerly, Brian Pittelko, Claudette Robey, Bridget Timmeney, Jim Robey Feb 2015

Economic Development Recommendations That Focus On The "Working Poor": Lessons From Waco, George Erickcek, Don Edgerly, Brian Pittelko, Claudette Robey, Bridget Timmeney, Jim Robey

George A. Erickcek

No abstract provided.


Introduction And Overview, Timothy Bartik, Susan Houseman Feb 2015

Introduction And Overview, Timothy Bartik, Susan Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes? A Pilot Analysis With Welfare Clients, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes? A Pilot Analysis With Welfare Clients, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

We draw upon administrative data from an unusual policy experiment in the state of Michigan to study the effects of temporary agency employment among welfare-to-work clients on job retention, program recidivism, and earnings. To identify these effects, we exploit the fact that welfare-to-work clients in one Michigan county were randomly assigned to service providers who had substantially different placement rates in temporary agencies but otherwise similar policies. Our findings indicate that moving welfare clients who otherwise would have been unemployed into temporary agency jobs provides some benefits to these workers, primarily by increasing their short-term earnings. Temporary agency jobs also …


Do Temporary-Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From "Work First", David Autor, Susan Houseman Feb 2015

Do Temporary-Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From "Work First", David Autor, Susan Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Temporary Agency Employment: A Way Out Of Poverty?, David Autor, Susan Houseman Feb 2015

Temporary Agency Employment: A Way Out Of Poverty?, David Autor, Susan Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg Feb 2015

Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


A Future Of Good Jobs? America's Challenge In The Global Economy, Timothy J. Bartik, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

A Future Of Good Jobs? America's Challenge In The Global Economy, Timothy J. Bartik, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek Feb 2015

Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg Feb 2015

The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg

Susan N. Houseman

We examine why employers use temporary agency and contract company workers and the implications of these practices for the wages, benefits, and working conditions of workers in low-skilled labor markets. Through intensive case studies in manufacturing (automotive supply), services (hospitals), and public sector (primary and secondary schools) industries, we define the circumstances under which these workers are likely to be adversely affected, minimally affected, or even benefited by such outsourcing. Adverse effects on compensation are clearest when companies substitute agency temporaries or contract company workers for regular employees on a long-term basis because low-skilled workers within the organization receive relatively …


The Effects Of Employer Mandates, Susan Houseman Feb 2015

The Effects Of Employer Mandates, Susan Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Temporary Agency Employment As A Way Out Of Poverty?, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

Temporary Agency Employment As A Way Out Of Poverty?, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

The high incidence of temporary agency employment among participants in government employment programs has catalyzed debate about whether these jobs help the poor transition into stable employment and out of poverty. We provide direct evidence on this question through analysis of a Michigan welfare-to-work program in which program participants were randomly allocated across service providers ('contractors') with different job placement practices. We draw on a telephone survey of contractors and on administrative program data linked with wage records data on all participants entering the program over a three-and-a half-year period. Our survey evidence documents a consensus among contractors that temporary …


Do Temporary Jobs Help Low-Skilled Workers? Surprising Data From Detroit, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

Do Temporary Jobs Help Low-Skilled Workers? Surprising Data From Detroit, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Employability: An Overview Of Concepts And Programmes In The United States, Susan Houseman, Lillian Vesic-Petrovic Feb 2015

Employability: An Overview Of Concepts And Programmes In The United States, Susan Houseman, Lillian Vesic-Petrovic

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From Random Assignments, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From Random Assignments, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

A disproportionate share of low-skilled U.S. workers is employed by temporary help firms. These firms offer rapid entry into paid employment, but temporary help jobs are typically brief and it is unknown whether they foster longer-term employment. We draw upon an unusual, large-scale policy experiment in the state of Michigan to evaluate whether holding temporary help jobs facilitates labor market advancement for low-skilled workers. To identify these effects, we exploit the random assignment of welfare-to-work clients across numerous welfare service providers in a major metropolitan area. These providers feature substantially different placement rates at temporary help jobs but offer otherwise …


Labor Policy Evaluation: Lessons From The American Experience, Susan N. Houseman Feb 2015

Labor Policy Evaluation: Lessons From The American Experience, Susan N. Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


Does Temporary Agency Employment Offer A Way Out Of Poverty?, Susan Houseman, David Autor Feb 2015

Does Temporary Agency Employment Offer A Way Out Of Poverty?, Susan Houseman, David Autor

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


The Role Of Temporary Employment Agencies In Welfare To Work: Part Of The Problem Or Part Of The Solution?, Susan Houseman, David Autor Feb 2015

The Role Of Temporary Employment Agencies In Welfare To Work: Part Of The Problem Or Part Of The Solution?, Susan Houseman, David Autor

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.


A Future Of Good Jobs?: America's Challenge In The Global Economy, Timothy Bartik, Susan Houseman Dec 2007

A Future Of Good Jobs?: America's Challenge In The Global Economy, Timothy Bartik, Susan Houseman

Susan N. Houseman

Can the U.S. economy generate healthy growth of “good” jobs—jobs that will ensure a steady improvement in the standard of living for the middle class and that will offer a way out of poverty for low-income Americans? In this book, leading policy analysts examine the challenges facing current U.S. labor market policy and propose concrete steps to make American workers and employers more competitive in a global economy.


The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George Erickcek, Susan Houseman, Arne Kalleberg Dec 2002

The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George Erickcek, Susan Houseman, Arne Kalleberg

Susan N. Houseman

No abstract provided.