Reports

Time For A Real Look At How The New York State Workers’ Compensation System Treats Workers

By James A. Parrott and Nicholas B. Martin

Many aspects of New York’s workers’ comp benefit structure combine to deliver inadequate lost-worktime compensation to injured workers. Since 2007 workers' comp “reforms,” payments to or on behalf of workers have fallen relative to workers’ comp premiums while insurance company profits have soared. This report unravels the details and argues that the Empire State needs to take a fresh look at its workers’ comp system in order to restore the priority of fairly compensating victims of workplace injuries and ensure that businesses responsibly invest in enhancing workplace safety. This report updates several data series included in an earlier version released in April 2019.

The Magnitude of Low-Paid Gig and Independent Contract Work in New York State

By Lina Moe, James A. Parrott, and Jason Rochford

In the wake of California's groundbreaking AB5 legislation, which subjects employers to an “ABC test” that narrows the guidelines for which companies can classify their workers as independent contractors, New York State lawmakers have begun exploring similar measures to better protect workers against misclassification and exploitation.This report will argue that the misclassification of workers as independent contractors is much broader than just the online platform sector, and that many of the largest low-paying industries utilize significant numbers of independent contractors who likely are misclassified. The report estimates that there are about 150,000 app-based independent contractors in New York that constitute about 17.5 percent of over 850,000 low-paid independent contractors in the state.

Presentations

An Earnings Standard for New York City’s App-dispatched FHV Drivers: Economic Analysis and Policy Assessment

By James A. Parrott

New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission implemented a $17.22 after-expense per hour minimum driver pay standard for app-dispatched FHV drivers in February 2019. The pay standard was the first in the nation for app drivers. Prior to the standard, 72 percent of all trips paid drivers less than $17.22 per hour, and 96 percent of all drivers had one or more trips per week paying less than the minimum. The pay standard formula incentivizes companies to make more efficient use of drivers’ time, reducing the time spent cruising while waiting for the next dispatch.

Minimum Wage Studies

New York City’s $15 Minimum Wage and Restaurant Employment and Earnings

By Lina Moe, James Parrott, and Yannet Lathrop

This is the first assessment of restaurant employment and earnings over the entire period of New York City’s historic minimum wage increases, 2013-18. Contrary to fears of massive job losses, $20 Big Macs, and shuttered restaurants, we found a thriving industry.

New York State’s Historic Disinvestment in Human Services since the Great Recession: The Impact in New York City and Around the State

By James Parrott and Angela Butel 

Human services aid from New York State helps localities pay for direct services, including public assistance and services provided through nonprofits. In this report we examine New York State, New York City and county budget data to understand how State funding trends affect localities across the state and New York City in particular.

Good jobs and affordable housing go together

New York Daily News, November 2019

Op-Eds