Several state and local jurisdictions implemented programs or policies to support workers facing precarity as a result of the pandemic. Permanent policies that provide targeted supports might be critical to mitigate the challenges associated with precarious employment over the long term. Such policies could include:

• Reworking eligibility requirements for unemployment funds
• Improving paid sick leave protections
• Expanding worker protections against wage theft

Workers across all employment categories have faced exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, but the risk has been especially high among workers engaged in precarious employment. Federal statutes exist to promote safe working conditions, however a lack of resources and problems with the standards-setting process have impeded their enforcement.

State and local decision makers have opportunities to support safe working conditions by:

• Issuing employment guidelines
• Conducting inspections
• Assessing fines for defaulters
• Promoting and enforcing requirements that workplaces have safety committees

The reach of state and local agencies can be increased by partnering with trusted community and worker-centered organizations to provide education and training on labor laws, increase public awareness, and provide support to those involved in referral processes for workplace violations.

Augmenting efforts of labor standards enforcement agencies by giving some unios and worker centers a formal role in enforcement has been found to lead to improved compliance with labor standards.

Research has shown that individuals engaged versus those not engaged in highly precarious employment report more unhealthy days and are less likely to have access to health insurance through an employer.

Efforts to improve conditions for individuals engaged in precarious employment also need to address physical and mental health-related challenges related to this type of work. This can be accomplished by, for example, increasing the role of managed care organizations, improving community health services, continuing access to telehealth, and broadening Medicaid eligibility.

A lack of accurate data and robust measures of precariousness hinders efforts to understand the experiences of individuals engaged in precarious employment. Having accurate and timely disaggregated data can help inform state and local decision makers about the needs of and challenges facing workers engaged in precarious employment. Rigorous data collection processes also can capture longitudinal and region-specific statistics. Importantly, combining multiple data sources can provide insights into employment and work arrangement trends. Decision makers can encourage data collection sharing by the private sector and foster the sharing of public and private labor market information.