About D.C.’s Service Sector
The number of people working in the service sector in D.C., representing 19 percent of all employment.
The median age of service sector employees in D.C.
%
The percentage of service sector employees who are Black or Latino.
In “Unpredictable, Unsustainable: The Impact of Employers’ Scheduling Practices in D.C.,” a May 2015 study on service sector scheduling practices in D.C., researchers found that erratic and unpredictable hours, combined with low wages, negatively impact employees and their families.
- Low Pay is Common: The typical service sector employee in D.C. works 32 hours each week at a pay rate of $10 per hour, which results in an annual income of approximately $16,000.
- More Hours Needed: Four out of five people surveyed said it was very important or somewhat important that they receive more hours.
- Lack of Advance Notice: Nearly half of all employees surveyed said they first learned about their work schedules less than one week in advance. And one-third of those surveyed received their initial work schedules with less than three days’ notice.
- Part-Time Work, Full-Time Availability: 60 percent of individuals said they must always be available to fulfill any assigned work schedule—regardless of the days or hours—in order to be considered for full-time hours or the best shifts available.
- Life On Hold For On-Call Shifts: Individuals assigned on-call/call-in shifts appear to have a 50/50 chance of getting paid to work, despite holding time for their employers.
