Rutgers Researchers Take the Pulse of American Labor

In separate studies, the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations take the pulse of American labor, workers' attitudes and workplace factors. Their findings show that unemployment is taking its toll on the psyches of workers, but that there are at least some bright spots for those who are still employed, and for specific segments of the workforce.

A comprehensive national survey by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development of 1,200 Americans who have been unemployed and seeking a job in the past 12 months finds a shaken, traumatized people coping with serious financial and psychological effects from an economic downturn of epic proportions.

At 9.7 percent, the nation's unemployment rate is at its highest in 26 years. But all is not gloom and doom for America's workers, according to the second annual Labor Scorecard compiled by Rutgers' School of Management and Labor Relations.. Average inflation-adjusted earnings have actually increased for those still collecting paychecks, and wage gaps for women and minorities have declined,