Matthew Martinez L&S Social Sciences
Work-Life Balance and Mental Health: A Study of Retail Workers
Major retail corporations promote flexible scheduling, mental health resources, and work-life balance initiatives as central to their corporate identity. Companies like Target, Macy’s, and Nordstrom highlight these programs in recruitment efforts, suggesting that retail employees have meaningful access to support. However, research shows a disconnect between corporate rhetoric and workers’ lived experiences, especially for low-wage workers of color, who often face unstable schedules, job insecurity, and limited access to resources. This project interrogates that gap, asking: How do structural labor conditions in major retail corporations shape workers’ access to work-life balance and mental well-being initiatives? Through a systematic literature review, this project examines how race, class, and employment precarity influence who benefits from corporate well-being programs and who remains excluded. By critically analyzing existing research and corporate policies, this study challenges dominant narratives about workplace wellness and contributes to a deeper understanding of inequality in the retail sector.
Message To Sponsor
I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to conduct my research through the SURF Fellowship this summer. This support is crucial for me as a student parent, making it possible to pursue my project and further develop my research skills for the L&S honors thesis program. It’s humbling to be selected for this fellowship, enabling me to explore meaningful topics in Sociology and highlight social issues that often go unnoticed. Thank you sincerely for believing in my work and journey.