In 2003, the Heldrich Center conducted a national survey of American workers to identify the extent to which workers were affected by economic issues and business restructuring during the 2000-2003 recession. The survey showed that the economic situation during that period cut a wide swath of dislocation throughout the US economy, with nearly one in five American workers reporting that they were laid off from their jobs during the three-year period. The survey found that the vast majority of these laid-off workers did not receive advance notice, severance pay, or career counseling from their employers.

The survey was conducted in partnership with the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut.