National Institute for Workers' Rights

The mission of the National Institute for Workers’ Rights (the Institute) is to advance workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public. Founded in 2008, the Institute seeks to create a future in which workers will be paid at least a living wage in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and capricious employment decisions; employers will fulfill their promises to provide retirement, health, and other benefits; workers’ safety will not be compromised for the sake of corporate profits and interests; and individuals will have effective legal representation to enforce their rights to a fair and just workplace, adequate remedies, and access to the courts to vindicate their workplace rights when they are violated. As the nation’s employee rights advocacy think tank, the Institute influences the broad, macro conversations that shape employment law. We conduct research, develop resources, and educate advocates, judges, the media, policymakers, and the general public to promote employee rights and protect workers’ access to the courts.