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Work and Labor

Topics at a Glance

Issue Brief

Woman holding baby

Mandating Better Work-Life Balance: FMLA and Public Opinion

This Labor Day, America’s labor movement will point to many proud achievements: overtime pay, workplace safety regulations, and more than two decades of family and medical leave.

minimum wage image

Wages of Win: The Public and the Minimum Wage Debate

The minimum wage is proving a contentious issue in the current presidential race.

Labor Unions

The Public and Labor Unions

On May 14, 1882, unionized workers in New York City held a parade and picnic, and the seeds of the Labor Day holiday were planted. About 50 years later, pollsters began asking Americans to share their opinions on labor unions. The results highlight how views of the labor movement have — and haven’t — changed since the 1930s. Some insights from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research archives.Public Approval of Organized LaborGallup has been asking the public about their approval of labor unions since 1936. Support for unions has drifted slowly downward since its early peaks. However majorities (54%) still express approval in the most recent poll.

Public Perspective – Work Not Welfare

Public Perspective, March/April 2002 In August 1996, Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed a historic bill ending “welfare as ...

Related Data

Work Trends

Rutger’s Work Trends Series

The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development is based at Rutgers University.

unemployed

2014 "Non-Employed" Poll

Find out the concerns and experiences faced by out-of-work Americans in this new poll of the non-employed sponsored by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, New York Times, and CBS News.

Charts & graphics

Preference for gender of boss
Bosses by the numbers