In recent months, economic conditions and the labor market have deteriorated — with declining housing prices, a volatile stock market, and rising food and energy prices. Unemployment rates are rising in many states; several have already openly declared that they are experiencing an economic recession.

While the primary costs of worker dislocation — including financial stress, mental and physical health problems, a potential slide into poverty or homelessness — are borne by affected individuals and their families, there are broader implications as well. Communities may suffer from an outmigration of residents as well as from a loss of community engagement. Local businesses and the economy may be adversely affected by the loss of purchasing power. Society at large will experience a loss of tax revenue and rising social costs associated with unemployment.

Workers in nearly all sectors of the economy are facing an increased risk of involuntary layoff in the months ahead. Since its founding over a decade ago, the Heldrich Center has made research on dislocated — and especially older workers — a priority. Below are highlighted several of these recent Heldrich Center publications, reports, and presentations that examine different aspects of worker dislocation and the aging workforce.