Worker Experiences

COVID-19 is transforming work more rapidly than standard data can track. Workers’ lives provide a more immediate picture. We’ve spoken to workers in various sectors and across the state to better understand what the economy looks like for these workers, as well as the impact on workers of policies (or lack thereof) at the state and federal levels. We are grateful to the workers who shared their experience with us.

Mariah on Risks to Healthcare Workers

"We were being exposed and we were worried about running out of [protective equipment]."

Miriam on Furloughs and Childcare

"It was tough because I didn’t get unemployment or the stimulus check help for the virus going on."

Tom on the Entertainment Industry during COVID-19

When you talk about Broadway closing down, the restaurants, the hotels, the workers, the actors, the crew – it’s just a huge snowball..."

Tom Kastle playing guitar

Troy on Old Inequalities Under the Pandemic

"From the 30 years that I’ve been working in hospitality, I say: ‘I’m always bringing something to the table, always putting something on the table. Why won’t they ever let me eat?’”

Lisa on Nursing Home Care Work

“Our residents don't have anybody anymore but us. They are isolated from their families, their friends, their loved ones – everybody that they are used to being with,”

Demetrica on PPE for Healthcare Workers and Accessing Assistance

“They’re making it very hard to live right now.”

Anthony on Union Support and Black Lives Matter

“We had a good team and a nice support system with our union.”

Michael on Essential and Exposed Work

"It’s much riskier now and it’s not worth it. I know I’m gonna have to find a new profession.”

Learn More about Working Wisconsin's Economy

An Unprecedented Era

In just a few months, COVID-19 upended the Wisconsin economy. The crisis has touched nearly every worker. Read more about why we created the digital State of Working Wisconsin.

READ MORE

The pandemic has worsened racial disparities

Before the COVID-19 crisis, Black-white disparities in Wisconsin were among the worst in the nation. COWS documented these disparities in our 2019 report, Race in the Heartland.

READ RACE IN THE HEARTLAND

  • June 2022 Data Analysis

    Wisconsin’s economic recovery from COVID-19 has cooled somewhat after the steady growth in preceding months. In June the state lost 1,800 jobs. Even so, we have come a long way out of the massive jobs hole created in March 2020. 

  • May 2022 Data Analysis

    Wisconsin’s economic recovery from COVID-19 continued in May with the state adding 2,200 jobs. Even so, the state has 2.1% fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic.

  • April 2022 Data Analysis

    Wisconsin’s economic recovery from COVID-19 continued in April with the state adding 2,700 jobs. Even so, the state has 2.2% fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic. 

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