The workplace experiences of young people — particularly those who have interacted with juvenile justice or foster care systems — is examined in a brief from the Shift Project at Harvard University.
The publication, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, draws from recent survey data on young workers with systems experience. In particular, the survey explores young workers in the service sector, where many people earn their first paychecks.
“The Shift Project’s findings demonstrate how workplaces can help or harm the wellbeing of young workers, especially those with histories of systems-involvement” said Dina Emam, a program associate with the Casey Foundation. “This brief was developed with input from workforce practitioners and also designed to guide practitioners’ engagement with employers on ways to cultivate supportive and productive work environments.”
Understanding Young Workers With Systems Experience
A young person’s early employment experiences help determine their career trajectory and overall economic well-being. Positive experiences can lead to upward mobility and a healthy career while unsupportive experiences can result in stagnant or unstable jobs that preclude larger pursuits.
When compared to their general population peers, young people with systems involvement are more likely to:
- encounter workplace harm — such as bullying and discrimination;
- face challenges to their well-being — such as food insecurity and housing insecurity — in their personal lives;
- experience up to a 31% higher risk of being unemployed; and
- work fewer hours for lower wages.
Jobs in the retail and service sectors have low barriers to entry and typically employ young people. Unsurprisingly, these jobs are often defined by fluctuating schedules, low wages and limited benefits.