RochesterWorks Return to Work Survey Results
In June 2021, RochesterWorks! launched a survey for unemployed Rochester area workers, asking them about the barriers they faced in returning to work during the post-pandemic economic recovery. Since April, Monroe County had seen a steady decline in new virus cases, and vaccination rates had been climbing. Restrictions on building capacity and large gatherings were easing and there was a great deal of speculation about why it seemed Rochestarians were slow to return to the workforce – our survey asked out-of-work adults directly, "What Needs to Change to Get Rochester Back to Work?"
The anonymous survey ran through mid-July, closing just short of two weeks after CNN first reported that the Delta variant of COVID-19 had now been detected in all 50 states. It was clear we were not yet truly post-COVID.
The survey received fewer than 70 valid responses, indicating that it has not effectively taken the pulse of our local unemployed workforce. The survey respondents are a relatively small group and they, therefore, cannot be considered representative of the Rochester area workforce as a whole. However, the results are still useful, especially when compared with other surveys and economic data. We hope that in sharing this data, we can still offer some insight into the barriers and concerns some people in our community face as we continue to navigate a pandemic economy.
Questions about this report can be directed to Lee Koslow, Technical Assistance and Training Manager for RochesterWorks! at lkoslow@rochesterworks.org
