A New Social Impact
California Future of Work Commission Announces Recommendations
The California Future of Work Commission, in partnership with IFTF, released a new report providing recommendations to “future-proof” California’s workforce against climate change, rising inequality, rapid technological shifts and other growing threats. Report findings build upon IFTF’s 50+ years of experience in futures work and long-time focus on changes in the nature of work and their implications for wealth and racial inequality—culminating in recommendations for a new social compact for work and workers in California.
“As the Covid pandemic has made clear, the need to support workers is more urgent than ever,” said lead researcher and IFTF Equitable Futures Lab director, Anmol Chaddha. “Those that have benefited from the state's overall economic strength have been far too few. The time has come for a new social compact that reduces inequality and improves job quality for years to come.”
Download the full report here. >>
The five key recommendations include:
This report is a forward-thinking investment in California’s future that will help keep the state at the forefront of economic innovation and progress. This unique collaboration between the state of California, IFTF and the four philanthropic foundations who supported the work of the Commission including; The James Irvine Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and Lumina Foundation. The Commission’s work offers a promising road-map for innovative public-private partnerships moving forward, which will be critical for public and private sector organizations looking to build capacity for future readiness.
“The multiple crises we’re facing today are, in many ways, the result of short-term thinking,” said IFTF Executive Director Marina Gorbis. “For too long, society and political leaders have focused on the ‘now’ at the expense of tomorrow. Our collaboration with Gov. Newsom and his Future of Work Commission is a promising example of how leaders can address and indeed change this habit and commit to taking a longer-term view to build better, more resilient futures for all Californians.”
Related Media
- Read the full report on the California Department of Labor: Future of Work Commission website
- "A ‘new social compact’: California commission calls for higher wages, better jobs," by Margot Roosevelt
for The LA Times (March 2, 2021) - "Low number of quality jobs," CalMatters Newsletter (March 3, 2021)
- "Guaranteed work: California commission calls for government jobs program after pandemic," by Jeong Park for The Sacramento Bee (March 3, 2021)
- "Is the Coronavirus Shaping the Future of How We Work?" by Miriam Pawel, opinion editorial for
The New York Times (March 20, 2020). - "Future of Work Commission highlights paths to a more equitable economy" by Andre Oliver for The James Irvine Foundation Blog (March 10, 2021).
- "Break down employment barriers with training, education programs," by Zima Creason is the executive director of the California EDGE Coalition for CalMatters (April 23, 2021)