In our latest podcast episode, we highlight a 2021 Fall Symposium talk from Dr. Tori Crain where she addresses the topic of supporting low-wage essential workers' nonwork life during the pandemic and the numerous stressors they have faced and are still facing.
Although much of the focus during the pandemic has been on the experiences of healthcare workers, essential vulnerable workers in other industries have not received the same attention. This talk highlighted obstacles faced by essential, lower-wage shift workers, with a specific focus on the work-life challenges of fast-food workers whose experiences can be generalized to other vulnerable occupational groups.
Additionally, Dr. Crain shared strategies on supportive solutions that organizations and supervisors can explore, which have been generated from in-depth interview studies conducted during the pandemic with these essential workers and supervisors.
Dr. Tori Crain is an Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology at Portland State University. Her research is focused on the diverse work-nonwork experiences of underrepresented and vulnerable workers, especially in industries and occupations that are high risk, where health and safety protections are less common, and where discriminatory practices are often at play. She has worked with a variety of union and industry partners, including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and the gig economy, with the goal of increasing support and equity for workers and their families.
To learn more about Dr. Crain's research, visit Dr. Crain's Lab website: https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/crain-lab/home
Dr. Crain was a guest speaker during our 2021 Fall Symposium. She spoke on the topic, " Supporting Low-Wage, Essential Workers' Nonwork Life in the Context of COVID-19."
View our other Fall Symposium talks at: https://www.ohsu.edu/oregon-institute-occupational-health-sciences/work-life-challenges-and-integration-context-covid
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Episode information:
What's Work Got to Do With Supporting Low-Wage Essential Workers During COVID?
Guest: Tori Crain, PhD
Host: Helen Schuckers, MPH
Produced and edited by: Helen Schuckers, MPH
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