Labor
Ideas and insights about labor from MIT Sloan.
Labor

2020, illustrated
Six illustrations we loved this year.

Microsoft’s Satya Nadella preps for work of the future
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella talks about artificial intelligence, how technology can democratize expertise, and the perils of remote work in an attention economy.

The case for an 'automation tax'
Some automation displaces workers and lowers wages. A new report argues that taxing the right technologies could help remedy this.

How the gig economy can reduce unemployment and debt
In areas where Uber operates, car owners saw fewer unemployment claims and credit delinquencies from 2012 to 2016.

Glimpsing the future of work in warehouses
MIT Sloan doctoral candidate Alex Kowalski is researching practical ways to improve warehouse jobs.

In cities, the escalator of opportunity has stalled
The “urban wage advantage” for workers without a college degree is sliding fast. Black men have suffered the steepest drops.

Measuring the actual impact of robots on jobs
Industrial robots do reduce jobs and wages — especially for workers in the automotive industry and certain parts of the country.

Telecommuting exposes fault lines in COVID-19 economy
New research shows those who can’t work from home bear the brunt of the pandemic’s economic fallout — particularly women with children.

How to restart the economy with a ‘safe’ workforce
When the time comes, restarting the economy needs to be as quick and safe as possible. Safe workers, “immunity certificates,” and digital tracking could help.

Social distancing now helps the local economy later
Public health interventions do not depress the economy, says a new study based on data from the 1918 flu outbreak.