Reemployment

Research on dislocated workers and the impacts and effects of job loss on both workers and their families

The rising unemployment rate since the most recent economic downturn has brought financial, mental, and physical stress to displaced workers and their families. Communities, small businesses, and society as a whole share these adverse affects in the form of lost purchasing power, lost tax revenue, and the rising social costs associated with unemployment. The Heldrich Center has made conducting research on dislocated workers a priority. Thorough research has been done on the impact of job loss. Some examples of the Center's work in this area include managing a comprehensive program that served over 11,000 workers who lost their jobs following the terrorist attacks of September 2001, and the nationwide Work Trends survey, which identifies the concerns of workers living in a jobless economy.


Projects

Publications

    • Anguish of Unemployment


      Sep 03, 2009

      Explores the experiences of American workers who are unemployed and have been looking for a job in the past 12 months; provides an in-depth portrait of the social and economic experiences of unemployed Americans.

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    • Changing Realities at Work Require Reforms in U.S. Workforce Policies

      Feb 27, 2013

      Explores the changing realities of work in America, unemployment during the Great Recession, economic recovery, job search activities, views of the labor market, views on ways to lower unemployment, and a new workforce paradigm.

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    • Community College Efforts to Prepare Special Populations for the Workforce: Older Workers, Dislocated Workers and Students with Disabilities

      Mar 22, 2012

      Presentation by Maria Heidkamp and Paula Barber at the League for Innovations in the Community College 2012 Conference. Discusses Heldrich Center research regarding community college efforts to serve older workers, dislocated workers, and students with disabilities.

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    • Coping with Layoffs: Current State Strategies for Better Rapid Response

      Jun 08, 2010

      Examines the issue of state rapid response practices designed to coordinate the delivery of services to displaced workers; summarizes the efforts of several states in the service delivery, organization, and evaluation of rapid response activities; and highlights states that combine post-layoff activities with strong proactive layoff aversion as well as worker transition assistance.

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    • Distressed American Worker: Fears of Permanent Job Loss Soar


      Apr 14, 2009

      Investigates the state of deep distress American workers are experiencing due to the economic downturn and how it affects their lives. Also explores workers’ concerns about the unemployment rate, job security, high rate of layoffs, economic depression, disruption in the workplace due to layoffs, and balance of work and family priorities.

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