Quando gli adulti perdono il lavoro : i risultati di una ricerca = When adults loose their jobs . Results from a research study

The economic crisis started in 2008 has heavily hit labour markets even in rich regions, spreading unemployment also among adult workers, who previously were in Italy quite well protected against economic downturns. The article presents a research study, conducted in Lombardy between September, 2009 and April, 2011, using different methods: a survey on a sample of 911 unemployed workers, 44 in-depth interviews and an ethnographic study on Employment Services. The research study has grasped social profiles of unemployed workers; relations between unemployment and family life; forms and results of job search; the functioning of Employment Services. In the conclusion, the article suggests several policy recommendations, in order to tackle the issue.