SPOTLIGHTS
American Workers Assess an Economic Disaster
Nearly three years into a devastating economic recession, American workers are deeply pessimistic about prospects for economic recovery. The majority believe that the nation’s economy has undergone a fundamental and lasting change, according to American Workers Assess an Economic Disaster, a new nationwide Work Trends survey from the Heldrich Center.
Some of the key findings of the national survey are:
- Nearly three in four (73%) Americans have been directly affected by a recession that is unprecedented in its length and severity.
- Nearly two in three of those surveyed expect the United States to still be in a recession next year; another 18% fear a depression is coming.
- More than half (56%) think the U.S. economy has undergone a fundamental and lasting change as opposed to a temporary downturn (43%).
- Fully 41% anticipate that the United States will be experiencing similar economic conditions a year from now while another quarter (27%) actually believes the economy will get worse before it gets better.
- Nearly 9 in 10 Americans (86%) who are still working express at least some concern about their job security; half of them report being very concerned.
Available are the full survey report and a press release.
The survey was fielded July 19 to August 6, 2010 online with a national probability sample of 818 U.S. residents age 18 or older through Knowledge Networks.
NEWS & UPDATES
- Krepcio Honored for Promoting Improved Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
- Van Horn Appointed to New Jersey Council of Economic Advisors
- Heldrich Center Named Leading Expert
- Lattimer Appointed to Third Term as Chair of ASC
- Heldrich Center Hosts Visiting Scholars
- A Fond Farewell to Aaron Fichtner
- Job Openings at the Heldrich Center
- The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr
- Heldrich Center Research Featured in New York Times
- Van Horn on WHYY's Radio Times
The NTAR Leadership Center seeks to build capacity and leadership at the federal, state, and local levels to enable change across workforce development and disability-specific systems that will increase employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities.
The Heldrich Center Advisor
Past issues of The Heldrich Center Advisor, our email newsletter, can be found in the archive below. Subscribe today to stay informed about the latest news, publications, and research findings from the Heldrich Center.










