Overview

Report title: Using behavioral insights to strengthen labor programs​

Source: Ideas42, Mathematica Policy Research ​

Year published: 2020

Sources
Categories
Preparation & Entry
Context
  • Many U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) programs face behavioural barriers: low take-up, poor follow-through, and limited engagement​
  • Behavioural trials were conducted across three areas—retirement savings, workplace safety, and reemployment services​
  • Interventions used RCTs and tested low-cost nudges such as emails, simplified letters, reminders, and social norms
Outcomes
  • In retirement savings, behavioural emails increased full-match contributions by 7.5pp​
  • In workplace safety, simplified letters and multilingual handouts increased employer responses by 5.4pp​
  • In reemployment services, friendly email reminders raised appointment completion rates by 14pp
Implications
  • Standardize behaviorally informed messaging across DOL channels—automate emails, simplify calls to action, use norm-based framing​
  • Build BI capacity within DOL teams—equip HR, enforcement, and employment staff with ready-to-use templates and training​
  • Leverage existing digital infrastructure (email, SMS, portals) to scale interventions while allowing local customization
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