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  • 2022
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Satisfaction of Workers in Low-Wage Jobs

By: Elizabeth R Johnson and Ashley V. Whillans
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:73
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Abstract

How did job satisfaction change during the pandemic for workers in low-wage jobs, and how did workers’ experiences compare to those in professional jobs? Using nationally representative survey data, we show that the pandemic increased the dissatisfaction of workers in low-wage jobs and the importance of pay in determining overall job satisfaction for these workers. Before and during the pandemic, workers in low-wage jobs were significantly less satisfied than those in professional jobs. We then surveyed a group of managers about their perceptions of workers in low-wage jobs during the pandemic. Managers believed workers in low-wage jobs were less satisfied, which lead them to believe these workers would be less committed and thus deserved lower pay. We conclude by discussing our two key discoveries. First, we advance research on job satisfaction by providing evidence—that contrasts with existing findings—for differences in job satisfaction across different pay levels. Second, we contribute to the literature on stereotypes by documenting unique occupational stereotypes that perpetuate inequality. As jobs become more precarious and income inequality rises, the future of work requires greater attention to workers in low-wage job, as well as the psychological barriers to improving these jobs.

Keywords

Low-Wage Jobs; COVID-19 Pandemic; Pay; Job Satisfaction; Income Inequality; Stereotypes; Satisfaction; Compensation and Benefits; Working Conditions

Citation

Johnson, Elizabeth R., and Ashley V. Whillans. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Satisfaction of Workers in Low-Wage Jobs." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 23-001, July 2022.
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About The Author

Ashley V. Whillans

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
→More Publications

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    By: Lara B. Aknin, Elizabeth W. Dunn and Ashley V. Whillans
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    Perceived Job Difficulty Influences Unionization Support for Workers in Low-Wage Jobs

    By: Elizabeth R. Johnson and Ashley V. Whillans
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    • Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

    The Developmental Origins and Behavioral Consequences of Attributions for Inequality

    By: Antonya Marie Gonzalez, Lucia Macchia and Ashley V. Whillans
More from the Authors
  • The Emotional Rewards of Prosocial Spending Are Robust and Replicable in Large Samples By: Lara B. Aknin, Elizabeth W. Dunn and Ashley V. Whillans
  • Perceived Job Difficulty Influences Unionization Support for Workers in Low-Wage Jobs By: Elizabeth R. Johnson and Ashley V. Whillans
  • The Developmental Origins and Behavioral Consequences of Attributions for Inequality By: Antonya Marie Gonzalez, Lucia Macchia and Ashley V. Whillans
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