Pandemics and Precarious Work: Translating Research to Practice for Marginalized Workers

• Published in: Translational issues in psychological science 2022-09, Vol.8 (3), p.416-430
• Main Authors: Cubrich, Marc, Tengesdal, Joren A., Ugueto-Rey, Gustavo, Stahl, Rachael, Crow Brauer, Megan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Human; Intersectionality; Lower Income Level; Marginalization; Marginalized Groups; Nontraditional Careers; Occupations; Pandemics; Personnel; Working Conditions
• ISSN: 2332-2136; 2332-2179
• DOI: 10.1037/tps0000327

The disruptive impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been felt by workers around the world, and decidedly even more so for precarious, low-wage, and nontraditional workers. Challenges for these workers including low wage rates, a lack of access to benefits and resources, and job insecurity were all pressing issues before COVID-19, but the pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities, while other novel challenges have emerged, further impacting the safety and wellbeing of these workers. Historically, research in the fields of organizational behavior and industrial-organizational psychology has overwhelmingly focused on "white-collar" workers with a corresponding underrepresentation of hourly wage workers, contract workers, and others with nontraditional work arrangements (e.g., gig workers). Not only do people belonging to marginalized groups face a disproportionate share of illness and death associated with crises such as COVID-19, but they also tend to be disproportionately represented in these jobs, many of which were deemed essential during the pandemic. Using an intersectional lens, the present scientific commentary and review highlights research related to these issues and serves as a call to action for research examining the experiences of these underrepresented workers. We argue that the pandemic has necessitated a change in our traditional understanding of precarious work and suggest we leverage existing theoretical frameworks to explore our understanding of the effects of worker status on experiences and outcomes during pandemics. Finally, we provide research-informed recommendations for organizations seeking to improve working conditions and uplift workers of all backgrounds. What is the significance of this article for the general public?This scientific review calls attention to the need to consider the experiences of underrepresented workers as it relates to the psychology of pandemics and work more broadly. We discuss how different marginalized identities face complex challenges during crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and offer research-informed recommendations to help organizations and their workers prosper.