LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A new Harvard study found that Michigan’s retail and food industries are “are characterized by low pay, insufficient work hours and a lack of control over schedules.”

The researchers’ report, which was written at the request of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), notes that “many Michigan service sector workers faced significant work-life conflict and economic insecurity” which correlated with poor sleep quality and other health concerns.

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According to the study, 13% of Michigan’s labor force, or 560,000 people, were employed in the retail and food service sectors in 2022. Researchers collected data from 5,364 of these workers, 77% of whom did not meet Michigan’s estimated living wage standard for a single adult with no dependents—although 56% of them were parents. The study concluded that Michigan workers are seeking “more work hours and more predictability in their work schedules,” which could be facilitated “were Michigan to follow the lead of cities like Seattle or a state like Oregon and pass a secure scheduling law.”

The report was produced by Shift Project researchers, led by Professor Daniel Schneider, Malcolm Wiener Professor of Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor Kristen Harknett, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania.

According to Schneider, “The unstable and erratic work schedules that so many hourly workers in the service sector in Michigan cope with, lead to all too predictable consequences for their health, wellbeing and economic security.” He adds that “workers need basic guardrails to protect them against the most pernicious practices” of employers.
Susan Corbin, LEO Director, says that understanding the experiences of service sector workers is crucial to ensuring they receive appropriate workplace safety and wage protections. “We are committed to continued focus on building a healthy and strong workforce and pursuing efforts that will make Michigan a more equitable place for all,” she said in a recent press release.

LEO recently launched its monthly webinar series, which is designed to boost discussion about improving mental health in the workplace. Professor Schneider will speak about current research at the next webinar, which will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, Feb. 16 using the Microsoft Teams platform.