The Worker Voices Project: Background

What was the aim of this project?

To promote a strong economy and maximum employment, the Federal Reserve carries out research that sheds light on labor market conditions. The Worker Voices Project seeks to understand the perspective of workers and job seekers and their experiences navigating the labor market in the recovery from the pandemic.

Who did we hear from in this project?

The project collected insights from workers and job seekers without a four-year college degree. These research participants disproportionately came from lower-wage roles and frontline occupations, and they were likely to have participated in workforce training programs.

How did we conduct this project?

The Federal Reserve System worked with community-based workforce partners to identify a convenience sample of eligible participants. While this sample was not nationally representative, the project ultimately conducted 20 focus groups with 175 workers and job seekers from 33 states across the country, offering a wide range of perspectives on employment experiences.

How did community-engaged research principles guide this project?

The project’s research design was informed by the principles of community-based participatory research, which originated in the public health field (Israel et al. 1998). The project incorporated a few key components from these principles: facilitating collaborative partnerships, promoting co-learning, and finding a balance between research and action that benefits all partners.

What did we learn from this project?

Participants said their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted their views of employment and changed what they wanted and expected from a job. Many participants said they did not benefit from a strong labor market and increased demand for workers. As a result, many pursued formal and informal training to improve their skills and improve employment outcomes. See the Worker Voices executive summary for details.