The Brookings Institution, May 28, 2020: Many essential workers are in “low-prestige” jobs. Time to change our attitudes – and policies?
There has been an outpouring of support from political leaders, celebrities and the public for many of the workers at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scenes of community-led applause and pot-banging for healthcare personnel, especially, have been heartfelt and heartwarming. In New York, firefighters lined up outside hospitals to show their appreciation.
The most obvious recipients of our gratitude are doctors and nurses. But there are many other staff who may be less visible but no less important to the running of hospitals and other medical facilities. These workers occupy positions such as care aides, clerks or cleaners. These jobs are typically lower-paid. And, at least before the pandemic, their jobs were considered to be of much lower prestige.
More broadly, the pandemic has highlighted the vital importance of many workers in so-called “low-status”, “low-skills” or “low prestige” jobs in our food supply chains, transport networks and elsewhere. These workers are disproportionately Black or Hispanic. Many are immigrants, sometimes undocumented. Their jobs lack many of the benefits and protections of “high prestige” positions. Very often the workers themselves feel ignored or disrespected.
