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Is immigration good or bad for the economy? The answer is complex.

Sep 5, 2024
Immigrants become consumers, workers and contributors to the U.S. economy. But in some places, an influx can stress budgets and infrastructure.
Many of the workers who rebuilt parts of Florida after Hurricane Ian in 2022 were unauthorized immigrants. Immigrants have a large presence in the U.S. construction industry.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images

There are major flaws in a program aimed at helping workers with disabilities

Currently, 37 states have a program offering people with cognitive disabilities jobs that pay subminimum wages before moving on to higher-paying jobs. But that doesn't always happen.
"The [14(c)] program was set up to push people into the community setting, but that's just not happening," explained The Washington Post reporter Caitlin Gilbert.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Retired Americans tend to feel good about their finances. Workers, not so much.

Aug 22, 2024
There's a persistent, widening gap between workers’ gloomy expectations and retirees’ rosy reports in an annual Gallup survey.
People dance at a Florida retirement community. A Gallup poll shows retired Americans are generally comfortable with their finances, but many still working are anxious about the future.
Rhona Wise/AFP via Getty Images

No political party can take union voters for granted

Aug 16, 2024
Democrats and Republicans want to win over union voters. Plus, the impact of extreme heat on Americans' utility bills. Subscribe to get the "Make Me Smart" newsletter every Friday!
Mario Tama/Getty Images

The case for wage insurance to offset future job disruption

There's already unemployment insurance. But new research makes the case for wage insurance as further protection for workers.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

How Georgia is training workers to make EVs at Hyundai's massive Metaplant

Jun 12, 2024
The partnership between the state and the company, which includes tax incentives, could result in the production of 300,000 cars a year.
Construction of Hyundai's Metaplant, which is expected to employ 8,500 workers, underway in October 2023.
Courtesy Hyundai

The rise of the super commuters

Jun 4, 2024
New research out from Stanford finds the number of 40-plus-mile commutes are increasing as many workers only need to travel to work a few days a week. And the share of workers traveling 75 miles or more is up a third since the start of the pandemic.
The share of workers traveling 75 miles or more is up one third since the start of the pandemic.
Kevin Carter/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Job satisfaction up, but may be near a plateau

May 6, 2024
By one measure, we are happier with our jobs than ever. But issues around workplace culture and relationships are gaining importance.
If you ask how people feel about wages, workplace culture and work-life balance, there are signs of increasing dissatisfaction.
lechatnoir via Getty Images

Workers who built Baltimore's Key Bridge reflect on its reach in their lives

Apr 18, 2024
The ironworkers, painters and others who constructed the bridge thought it would outlive them.
Buddy Cefalu connecting road beams as an ironworker during the construction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Courtesy Cefalu

Tired of your boss bugging you after hours? You want the "right to disconnect"

Apr 4, 2024
A bill in the California legislature would make the state the first in the nation to offer what's already law in France and about a dozen other countries.
Antonio Guillem via Getty Images