Catherwood LibraryILR School

Fewer than a third of people who have continued to work during the pandemic receive additional pay or benefits, according to a survey by the Economic Policy Institute. Some essential workers who took an unpaid leave of absence discovered that they were making more money not working, due to the generous extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits, along with stimulus checks to those that qualified. While essential workers recognize that the extra unemployment benefit will cease at the end of July, barring a renewal that is being sought by the Democrats, they have increasingly taken to social media to point out that they deserve hazard pay, especially given that Covid cases persist in the U.S. and with some states having to pause re-opening plans. For essential workers making low-income wages, hardships are exacerbated due to increased costs with some expenses such as groceries, as well as the mental and emotional drain in continuing to work in potentially hazardous environments.