This book investigates the economic institutions that shape worker well-being and earnings distributions. The author, S. W. Polachek, draws on his expertise in labor economics to explore key themes such as job training, worker and firm mobility, minimum wages, wage arrears, the impact of unions and collective bargaining, unemployment insurance, and the role of schooling. The analysis focuses on how these economic factors directly influence individual and family financial outcomes.

The book is positioned as a focused examination of the economic institutions that directly influence individual and family earnings. Its scope suggests a detailed analysis of labor market dynamics, making it a valuable resource for those interested in economic policy and its effects on workers. The specific topics covered indicate a practical and data-driven approach to understanding worker well-being.