"JUGGLING SHIFTS: THE EFFECT OF UNPREDICTABLE SCHEDULING ON INCOME VOLATILITY, AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS"

In the course of EPIC’s investigation of income volatility, variation in workers’ hours and scheduling instability – which is widespread – has been identified as one of the main drivers of the problem.

Many employers, governments, and technology companies have identified scheduling instability – and the income volatility it creates – as problems in need of fixing. In the scope of financial security, solving for income volatility is a crucial step in stabilizing millions of households. By securing their finances now, they will be in better situation to look ahead and save for their future.  When it is challenging to predict income, it is near impossible to plan for near-term or long-term financial goals.

Along with the Economic Opportunities Program, The Financial Security Program’s EPIC initiative hosted a panel conversation that explored cross-sector innovative solutions to both scheduling unpredictability and income volatility.

Panelists included:

• Heather Boushey, Executive Director and Chief Economist at Washington Center for Equitable Growth
• Will Eadie, Vice President Sales and Strategy at WorkJam
• Ari Schwartz, Lead Organizer at DC Jobs with Justice
• Lara Shock, Director, Associate Choice Initiatives at Walmart

Full-length video of the conversation (1h 22m)

"Income volatility causes difficulties in meeting month to month expenses, now we turn to finding solutions." - Mitchell #JugglingShifts pic.twitter.com/rJE2UC0xUW

— Aspen FSP (@Aspen_FSP) January 12, 2017

"Income volatility causes difficulties in meeting month to month expenses, now we turn to finding solutions." - Mitchell #JugglingShifts pic.twitter.com/rJE2UC0xUW

— Aspen FSP (@Aspen_FSP) January 12, 2017

.@HBoushey "There is a lot of empirical evidence that unpredictable #schedules may not be the best strategy for employers." #jugglingshifts pic.twitter.com/mVQOvVxjj7

— Bridget Ansel (@bridgetansel) January 12, 2017