Working Scared (Or Not at All)

Working Scared tells the story of the American workforce during a period of wrenching structural changes and two recessions. Based on analysis of national surveys of more than 25,000 employed and unemployed Americans, this book describes and analyzes the conflicts and interactions found in the friction between the changing nature of work and the experiences, beliefs, aspirations, and concerns of working men and women in a largely post-industrial economy. By tracing the experiences of workers in times of economic prosperity and economic recession, labor and public policy expert Carl E. Van Horn captures the shifting perceptions of America's workers as they are buffeted by the changing realities of the labor market and the impact of rapid economic change. He explores the implications, themes, and insights, and identifies nationally significant differences of opinion among various age, gender, political, and racial groups. Also included are two chapters of proposed policy reforms that would help the United States achieve full economic recovery from the Great Recession and reform workforce and education policies for the long term.