The Conference Board research group, which conducts the survey, has reported on its latest survey on job satisfaction in the U.S. Based on the results, which show the lowest numbers since the survey began, it appears to be a job dissatisfaction report.
The new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work. In 2008, the number was 49 percent, already a minority. This is the lowest number in 22 years of the survey.
The Conference Board research group says in a report issued Tuesday that the harsh recession is partly to blame. Some workers feel trapped into their current positions, as the recession means there are few openings, and high competition, for any of them. However, the report also notes that job satisfaction has been steadily dropping for more than two decades.
The younger the worker, the more dissatisfaction with their job, the report says. Those under 25 expressed the highest, with about 64 percent saying they are unhappy in their jobs.
The most satisfied were those aged 25 to 34. Their numbers were still below 50 percent, however. About 47 percent of workers 25 to 34 say they were happy in their jobs.
Linda Barrington, managing director of human capital at the Conference Board, said the following: "It says something troubling about work in America. It is not about the business cycle or one grumpy generation."
Among the reasons given for the low job satisfaction numbers include lack of interest in their current jobs, pay raises not keeping up with inflation, and health insurance costs which are taking more out of workers' pay.
Other key findings from the report, compared with numbers as far back as 22 years ago:
- 43 percent of workers feel secure in their jobs. In 2008, 47 percent said they felt secure in their jobs. 59 percent felt that way in 1987.
- 56 percent say they like their co-workers, slightly less than the 57 percent who said so in 2008. That is down from 68 percent in 1987.
- 56 percent say they are satisfied with their commute to work. That compares with 54 percent in 2008 and 63 percent in 1987. This is despite the fact that commute times have grown longer over the years.
- 51 percent say they are satisfied with their boss. That's down from 55 percent in 2008 and 60 percent in 1987.
The Conference Board calls itself a "global, independent membership organization in the public interest to deliver knowledge about management and the marketplace." It also releases several other economic reports; for example, the Consumer Confidence Index.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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