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Bad Economy, Boredom Threaten Employees'
Productivity, Creativity
The recession and a lack of interest in work are driving
American workers into the dumps, and that could spell trouble for
employers, several studies indicate.
 A recent study by the
Conference Board research group finds that only 45 percent of Americans
were satisfied with their job in 2009 -- the lowest level recorded
since the group started studying the topic 22 years ago. In the
previous year, 49 percent of employees said they were satisfied with
their work.
The study cites a variety of factors that are souring employees'
feelings about work, including lagging pay and the high cost of health
care.
Luckily for some employees, the trend of salary freezes might
slow in 2010. According to a recent Mercer study, only 14 percent of
mid-size and large companies expect across-the-board salary freezes in
2010. While more raises might be doled out this year, they won't be a
windfall for most. The survey predicts average pay increases to be 2.7
percent this year, down from 3.2 percent last year.
The struggle to keep workers happy and productive doesn't stop
with a paycheck, however. While the tight economy is forcing many
employers to freeze or reduce pay and benefits, worker discontent is
springing from additional sources, according to the Conference Board
study. Only 51 percent find their jobs interesting - another
22-year low, the study reveals. In 1987, nearly 70 percent of workers
found their work interesting.
A lack of interest can drain a company's productivity because
engaged employees are more innovative and take calculated risks, said
Linda Barrington of the Conference Board.
"What's really disturbing about growing job dissatisfaction
is the way it can play into the competitive nature of the U.S. workforce down the road and on the
growth of the U.S.
economy -- all in a negative way," said the Conference Board's
Lynn Franco, another author of the report.
Discontent also can breed short-term trouble for employers
if it leads to high turnover. A new survey by CareerBuilder finds
that nearly one in five American workers plan to leave their current
job in 2010 despite the pressures of a tight job market.
Apart from recruiting and training costs, high turnover can cost
employers their customers. A new Cornell University
study found that companies with a steady flow of new hires often
fall short of meeting their customers' needs.
"When turnover is low, the number of new hires in a work
unit doesn't really impact customers' service quality
perceptions," the study states. "But when turnover is high,
the number of newcomers is crucial -- the more new workers in a group,
the more unhappy customers are."
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