People’s access to opportunity and advancement in the labor market is shaped by macroeconomic forces, technological change, policy choices, and labor market dynamics.

Employer practices such as hiring, scheduling, promotion, supervision, and on-the-job training determine workers’ day-to-day reality and long-term prospects in the labor market.

How people search for and match to jobs reflects how well the labor market is functioning for both workers and employers.

Human capital development—or people’s ability to acquire skills and knowledge through education and training—advances workers’ economic opportunity and strengthens employers and the economy.

Certain opportunities aligned with a given job—such as access to dependable family care, reliable and affordable transportation, and workplace benefits like health care and paid leave—can affect people’s ability to succeed at work.

Unions, collective bargaining, and other forms of advocacy have resulted in better wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers.