Labor Markets
New technologies and digital platforms are transforming labor markets through the rise of “gig,” contract, and other forms of independent work. But in Washington there is significant pushback on these jobs, with policymakers and agencies attempting to use 20th-century regulations to hamper a growing workforce. Mercatus research identifies barriers preventing workers from adapting to the evolving economy and provides policy reforms that can build the foundation of tomorrow’s workforce today.
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Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
More FTC Overreach in Labor Markets | Truth on the Market
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, September 2023
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Labor and the Gig Economy, Technology Startups, and Entrepreneurship | "Dialogue With Manhar"
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
March Jobs and Unemployment Reports | American Radio Journal
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
What Is the State of the Gig Economy? | The Curious Task Podcast
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The State of the Gig Economy | Bloomberg TV
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
More FTC Overreach in Labor Markets | Truth on the Market
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, September 2023
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Labor and the Gig Economy, Technology Startups, and Entrepreneurship | "Dialogue With Manhar"
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
March Jobs and Unemployment Reports | American Radio Journal
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
What Is the State of the Gig Economy? | The Curious Task Podcast
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The State of the Gig Economy | Bloomberg TV
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, September 2023
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Consequences of Restricting Independent Work and the Gig Economy
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
FTC Rulemaking on Noncompete Agreements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT: The Gig Economy
Paving the Path for Independent Workers
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Women as Independent Workers in the Gig Economy
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Employee vs. Independent Worker
A Framework for Understanding Work Differences
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Research Papers Research Papers
The Economic Situation, June 2020
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Limits of Infrastructure Stimulus
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Labor and the Gig Economy, Technology Startups, and Entrepreneurship | "Dialogue With Manhar"
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
March Jobs and Unemployment Reports | American Radio Journal
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
What Is the State of the Gig Economy? | The Curious Task Podcast
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The State of the Gig Economy | Bloomberg TV
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Railroad Strikes | Cheddar TV
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Possible Railroad Strike | Chicago's Morning Answer
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Unions & Free Market Labor Policy | Labor Relations Radio
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Michael Farren on Sirius XM - COVID Unemployment Benefits
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Liya Palagashvili on Policy-ish Talk - The PRO Act
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
New Data on the Gig Economy and Women in the Freelancing World
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Liya Palagashvili on American Radio Journal - The PRO Act
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Michael Farren on The John Batchelor Show - The PRO Act
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Portable Benefits for Self-Employed and Independent Workers in Ontario
Ontario Portable Benefits Advisory Panel
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Colorado's Barriers to Work for Those with Criminal Records
Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor
- | Corporate Welfare Corporate Welfare
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Helping Kansas Get the Best out of a Bad Deal: Megasubsidies for a Mystery Company
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah's Barriers to Work for Those with Criminal Records
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Evaluating the Department of Labor’s Withdrawal of the Independent Contractor Rule
Public Interest Comment Submitted to the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Kansas Should Open the Door to Skilled Workers
Testimony before the Kansas Senate Commerce Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
Utah House Business and Labor Standing Committee
Latest work in Labor Markets
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
More FTC Overreach in Labor Markets | Truth on the Market
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What Productivity-Pay Gap? | EconLib
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Giving Thanks for Low-Skilled Workers | Creators Syndicate
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden’s Plan to ‘Outcompete China’ Requires More Human Talent
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Pro-Union Vision for the 21st Century and Beyond | Discourse
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary