This report illustrates the state of low-wage work in the retail industry and provides a profile of the Retail Action Project, an organization striving to improve job quality in retail.

In 2011, nearly 4 million workers were employed in direct-care positions, including nursing aides, home health aides, and personal care attendants. While direct-care workers play a critical role in supporting the lives of our elderly and disabled populations, direct-care jobs are often characterized by low-wages, few benefits or pathways for career advancement, as well as part-time hours.

On May 3rd 2012, the Aspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative hosted a conversation titled, “Better Care through Better Jobs: Improving Training and Employment for Direct Care Workers.” This is the second conversation in a roundtable series in 2012 titled “Reinventing Low Wage Work: Ideas That Can Work for Employees, Employers and the Economy.” Low wage jobs are a growing part of the U.S. economy, and AspenWSI is excited to continue this conversation about the nature of low-wage work, the challenges it presents to workers, businesses and the economy, and the opportunities we have for addressing these challenges at the Aspen Institute at a time when jobs and the economy are such critical topics for our country.

On March 7th 2012, the Aspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative hosted a conversation on “From Fast Food to Fine Cuisine: A Discussion on Work in the Restaurant Industry.” This is the first conversation in a roundtable series in 2012 titled “Reinventing Low-Wage Work: Ideas That Can Work for Employees, Employers and the Economy.”

Low-wage jobs are a growing part of the U.S. economy, and AspenWSI is excited to bring a conversation about the nature of this work, the challenges it presents to workers, businesses and the economy, and the opportunities we have for addressing these challenges to the Aspen Institute at a time when jobs and the economy are such critical topics for our country.