Worked Over
Lawmakers, regulators take on senior care-home operators over wage theft, worker abuse
New legislation and enforcement efforts are underway after Reveal’s investigation of exploitation in the industry.
Staff
Biography
Jennifer Gollan is a reporter for Reveal, covering labor and corporate accountability.
An Emmy Award winner, Gollan has reported on topics ranging from oil companies that dodge accountability for workers’ deaths to lax manufacturing practices that contributed to deadly tire blowouts.
Gollan uncovered rampant exploitation and abuse of caregivers in the burgeoning elder care-home industry. The series, Caregivers and Takers, detailed how operators enriched themselves while paying workers about $2 an hour to work around the clock. The stories prompted a congressional hearing, plans for prosecutions and new state legislation.
Gollan exposed how Navy shipbuilders received billions in public money even after their workers were killed or injured. In response to her reporting, Congress passed a new federal law, the Government Accountability Office produced a report and the Pentagon began scrutinizing the safety records of more defense contractors.
Gollan’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Associated Press, The Guardian U.S., Politico Magazine and PBS NewsHour.
Her honors include a national Emmy Award, a Hillman Prize for web journalism, two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, a National Headliner Award, a Gracie Award and two Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing Awards. She has been a finalist for an ONA Online Journalism Award, an IRE Award and two Gerald Loeb Awards. Gollan is based in Reveal’s Emeryville, California, office.
Articles
When Lighting the Voids
This investigative audio drama from StoryWorks unravels the mystery of a deadly explosion at a Gulf Coast shipyard.
Worked Over
Dozens of senior care homes that broke labor laws continue to get Medicaid funds
There is virtually no accountability for care-home operators that fail to pay caregivers in accordance with the law.
Worked Over
Elderly often face neglect in California care homes that exploit workers
Rat bites, bedsores and other injuries plague residents in many homes cited for labor violations.
Impact
Congressman calls for action to combat exploitation in senior residential care industry
The request marks the federal government’s first steps to tackle the systematic abuse of care homes’ mostly poor, immigrant workers.
Contract with Danger
Sen. Warren urges Pentagon to provide stricter oversight of federal contracting
Warren cited a report that found Pentagon officials do not always consider the safety records of companies when reviewing contracting bids.
Worked Over
‘I feel worse than animals’ – caregivers tell their stories
Caregivers work intimately with the elderly. They bathe, dress and feed them and help with basic hygiene. But who looks out for the caregivers?
Worked Over
California regulators aren’t taking action against care homes that ignore wage theft judgments
California regulators aren’t taking action against care homes that ignore wage theft judgments.
Worked Over
Elder care homes rake in profits as legions of workers earn a pittance for long hours of care
For facilities that are violating wage laws, profit margins hinge on the widespread exploitation of thousands of caretakers.
Worked Over
The unpaid cost of elder care
Reveal’s Jen Gollan takes us into her investigation of wage theft, harassment and intimidation in the care home industry.