A community engaged study of essential workers during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic
Primary authors: Alexia Kulwiec and Armando Ibarra | Secondary authors: Jessica Wang, Kristi Anderson, Jonathan Heller, Shelly Shaw
Voices of Wisconsin Workers is a report that amplifies the experiences of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School for Workers in partnership with the Population Health Institute, the study highlights significant challenges faced by workers in healthcare, education, food processing, agriculture, and construction.
Key findings reveal that many workers experienced unsafe working conditions, inadequate protective measures, and a lack of enforceable safety regulations. The report also underscores the disproportionate risks faced by Latinx communities. Workers reported barriers to speaking out about safety concerns and limited access to benefits such as paid sick leave, leading many to work while ill.
The report calls for stronger workplace protections, better health education, enforceable safety measures, and expanded benefits to support Wisconsin’s essential workforce. These recommendations aim to create safer, healthier, and more equitable working conditions for all.