Technology & Ideas
Poor and Minority Workers Are Least Likely to Be Able to Work From Home
Social isolation during the pandemic comes at a high cost for those who have no paid leave and can’t telecommute.
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Millions of Americans have been sent home from work during the coronavirus pandemic, and a new report highlights the stark divide between those who can continue their work from home and those who cannot—largely low-income and minority workers.
Analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the report from the Economic Policy Institute finds that 28.8% of American workers are able to work from home. This figure varies based on income: While 62% of the top quartile of wage earners fall into this category, only 9.2% of the bottom quartile do.