A Nation at Work: The Heldrich Guide to the American Workforce

In the United States work underlies our very concept of who we are. Changes in society and technology have profoundly impacted how and where we work, and transformations within the workplace in turn have altered our society. Not only is the workplace central to economic and cross-cultural changes, but the nature of work itself is entangled in new problems: American employees struggle with issues such as conflicts between work and family, lack of pension security, and access to lifelong learning and skills. A Nation at Work addresses the fundamental economic, demographic, policy, and business facts about how the workforce and workplace are taking shape. Illustrated with over fifty graphs, Section I is an extended essay on essential topics about the American workforce. Section II gathers essays from the nation’s outstanding journalists and workplace analysts. Authors include Jason DeParle, Louis Uchitelle, Sue Shellenbarger, and Barbara Ehrenreich. The reader will also find speeches by Alan Greenspan, Leo Reddy, and others. The book incorporates facts and data throughout, including invaluable tables and listings for useful Internet sites, books, and organizations. Comprehensive in its scope, A Nation at Work will help readers reach a better understanding about their own work and the world of work around them.