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About the Institute

About us

The Worker Institute at Cornell engages in research and education on contemporary labor issues, to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy and society. The institute brings together researchers, educators and students with practitioners in labor, business and policymaking to confront growing economic and social inequalities, in the interests of working people and their families. A core value of the Worker Institute is that collective representation and workers’ rights are vital to a fair economy, robust democracy and just society. Learn more about all of our offerings.

Worker Institute

Core Offerings

The Worker Institute serves as a hub for policy research, publication, and training for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and activists engaged in the public debate to reduce economic inequality.

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Student Engagement

Student Engagement

The Worker Institute is committed to engaging Cornell ILR undergraduate and graduate students through our courses, research fellowships, graduate programs and other professional development opportunities.

 

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Learn more about our work with students.

In the News

Media Mentions

Private equity boom in New York home care has experts calling for guardrails

Politico Pro
Private equity has expanded in the New York home care industry over the past decade, partly due to weak state and federal health and labor regulations, according to a new report from ILR’s Worker Institute, “Private Equity’s Impact on Home Care Workers and Patients in New York State.”
Private equity boom in New York home care has experts calling for guardrails

Private Equity Ownership Results in Poor Working Conditions in NYS Home Care

Cornell Chronicle
Private equity firms’ investment in home care agencies perpetuates poor working conditions for workers by continuing the exploitation that is prevalent across the industry, according to a new study from the ILR School’s Worker Institute.
Private Equity Ownership Results in Poor Working Conditions in NYS Home Care

Private Equity Owns Half of Home Care Agencies in NYS, Cornell ILR Researchers Say

Brooklyn News Service
A report from ILR’s Worker Institute about private equity’s consolidation of home care, healthcare, and hospice agencies is discussed, with Anne Marie Brady, research director, worker rights and equity, commenting on the potential negative impact of private-equity ownership on job quality and care quality.
Private Equity Owns Half of Home Care Agencies in NYS, Cornell ILR Researchers Say

NYC Delivery Workers Report Staggering Rates of Injury, Mental Health Issues

Findings from a report by ILR’s Worker Institute in 2021 about New York City delivery workers are mentioned in this article; the report is titled “Essential but Unprotected: App-based Food Couriers in New York City.”
NYC Delivery Workers Report Staggering Rates of Injury, Mental Health Issues

Inside Private Equity’s Takeover Of America’s Home Care System

Forbes
Private equity firms now control roughly half the home-based healthcare services in New York state says a report from ILR’s Worker Institute called “Private Equity Pathways into Home Care: The Case of New York State.”
Inside Private Equity’s Takeover Of America’s Home Care System

TPS ends for Salvadorans on Wednesday. What this means for those living on Long Island

Newsday
Natalia Navas, Labor Leadership Programs Associate at ILR’s Woker Institute, discusses the mindset of Salvadorans living in the U.S. who may lose Temporary Protected Status and potentially face loss of employment and deportation.
TPS ends for Salvadorans on Wednesday. What this means for those living on Long Island

Blog: Latest News and Events

Read more stories from the Worker Institute Blog

Cornell’s Empire State Poll Finds New Yorkers Concerned about the Cost of Living and the New York State Economy

Cornell's Empire State Poll data shows that 43% of New York State residents consider cost of living to be the most important issue facing the state, up from 29% in 2024. Respondents indicated substantial concern about the state's economy over the past year and looking to the future.
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Cornell’s Empire State Poll Finds New Yorkers Concerned about the Cost of Living and the New York State Economy

Private Equity Ownership Results in Poor Working Conditions in NYS Home Care

Cornell Chronicle
Private equity firms’ investment in home care agencies perpetuates poor working conditions for workers by continuing the exploitation that is prevalent across the industry, according to a new study from the ILR School’s Worker Institute.
A home healthcare worker helps and elderly woman
Private Equity Ownership Results in Poor Working Conditions in NYS Home Care

Singaporean Labor Leaders Visit the Worker Institute

On June 29, the Worker Institute hosted a delegation of Singaporean labor leaders representing the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
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Singaporean Labor Leaders Visit the Worker Institute

Lois Gray Innovation Initiative 

Lois Gray, ILR School faculty member

The Lois Gray Innovation Initiative was founded by labor pioneer Lois Gray to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy, and society.

The Lois Gray Innovation Fund provide financial incentives for collaboration between resident and extension faculty in relation to priority programs of The Worker Institute.

It ensures faculty, researchers and students have the opportunity to fulfill the institute’s mission of advancing worker rights and collective representation.

Explore the initiative