About the Literature Scan

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The literature scan highlights promising applications of behavioral insights to challenges that are specifically relevant to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) programs, workers, job seekers, and employers. It synthesizes this information for DOL and others who are interested in applying behavioral interventions to address challenges within the labor context. DOL’s own work in this area contributes to this evidence base. Suggestions of areas in which to extend this body of work are also noted.

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Key Takeaways

• Behavioral science research, also referred to as behavioral economics or behavioral insights, has shown that subtle changes to programs and policies can have profound effects.
• Promising interventions that may improve program participation include emphasizing people’s values or goals, providing clear instructions, sending reminders, and personalizing communications.
• Promising interventions that can help people facing unemployment persist in their job search include reframing setbacks, creating a sense of urgency, setting clear and specific job search plans, and supporting emotional processing.
• Promising interventions to increase employer compliance with regulations can include providing clear action steps, encouraging honesty by requiring a signature at the beginning of a form, and invoking social norms.
• Promising interventions to reduce hiring biases include limiting access to demographic information and structuring the hiring process to limit subjective influences.
• Promising interventions to improve an employer’s use of advantageous services include reducing hassles, encouraging immediate action, and more clearly communicating how and why a program works.

Citation

Darling, M., Stotler, A., Johnson, A., Chojnacki, G., Manley, M., Amin, S., Congdon, W. (2019). Mathematica. A literature scan and synthesis of research on labor-related behavioral science. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.