Erosion of Traditional Employment: Impact on Health and Economic Well-Being (September 2025)-Erosion of Traditional Employment: Impact on Health and Economic Well-Being

Erosion of Traditional Employment: Impact on Health and Economic Well-Being

Pdf Summary

This study by Yelin, LaFrance, and Iley examines the evolution of employment types and their impact on health and economic well-being among working-age adults in California by comparing data from two survey waves conducted in 1999–2000 and 2022–2023. Using the California Work and Health Survey (CWHS), which integrates comprehensive labor market and health data, the authors analyze changes in employment patterns, working conditions, economic status, and health outcomes across these periods.<br /><br />Key findings include a decline in traditional full-time, full-year employment with regular day shifts and permanent jobs, alongside increases in part-time, episodic, contingent employment, and nontraditional work arrangements such as independent contracting and self-employment. While the overall employment rate remained fairly stable, workers experienced fewer work hours annually (a reduction averaging about four weeks of full-time equivalent work), increased job turnover, and decreased upward mobility—fewer reported job promotions or better jobs year-over-year.<br /><br />These employment shifts are linked to worsening economic well-being: a higher percentage of employed individuals reported household income near or below the poverty line and significantly more reported difficulty living on their income despite being employed. Working conditions have also changed, with fewer workers on regular shifts, more on rotating or variable schedules, and a marked rise in working-from-home arrangements.<br /><br />Health trends mirror these economic and employment changes. The proportion of the working-age population reporting fair or poor health and activity limitations increased substantially. Body mass index rose, while smoking rates fell. Binge drinking also became more common. These health deteriorations occurred broadly across all age groups, not just older workers.<br /><br />The authors highlight that these changes likely reflect a broader “Great Risk Shift” and “fissured workplace” dynamics whereby risk and employment insecurity increasingly fall on workers rather than employers. California's policy efforts attempting to regulate alternative employment (e.g., AB5, Proposition 22) reflect recognition of these issues but challenges remain. The study underscores the need for continued policy innovation to adapt labor protections to nontraditional employment forms and for longitudinal research to clarify causal relationships between deteriorating employment conditions and health outcomes.<br /><br />In sum, between 1999–2000 and 2022–2023, California has experienced a notable erosion of traditional employment in favor of more precarious work patterns, accompanied by declines in economic well-being and worker health, signaling significant labor market and public health challenges ahead.

Keywords

employment evolution

California labor market

nontraditional work

economic well-being

health outcomes

work conditions

job insecurity

part-time employment

policy regulation AB5

worker health trends