Work Hours in Retail: Room for Improvement

Authors

Françoise J. Carré, University of Massachusetts Boston
Chris Tilly, University of California, Los Angeles

Issue Date

April 2012

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.

Series

Policy Paper No. 2012-012

DOI

10.17848/pol2012-012

Sponsorship

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

Keywords

part time work, part time employment, work hours, working hours, retail jobs, retail trade, retail hours, grocery stores, grocery industry, job quality, United States, Canada, Mexico

Subject Areas

LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Employment relationships; Nonstandard work arrangements