Work Hours in Retail: Room for Improvement

Authors

Françoise J. Carré, University of Massachusetts Boston
Chris Tilly, UCLA

Publication Date

4-24-2012

Series

Policy Paper No. 2012-012

DOI

10.17848/pol2012-012

Abstract

With full-time jobs, hourly wages are appropriate primary indicators of job quality. However, in sectors where full-time schedules do not dominate, total hours matter for job quality and worker outcomes. We explored hour levels and trends in retail trade and its largest subsector, grocery stores. Retail is known for part-time and short shifts. With a comparison of retail hours in three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—we contribute insights into aspects of the U.S. policy and regulatory systems that could be altered in order to improve retail jobs.

Issue Date

April 2012

Note

Field work was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Russell Sage Foundation.

Sponsorship

W.E. Upjohn Institute Grant No. 10-126

Subject Areas

LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Employment relationships; Nonstandard work arrangements