U.S. Job Satisfaction Falls To Record Low

http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=234106

Even Americans who are lucky enough to have work in this economy are becoming more unhappy with their jobs, according to a new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work.

That was the lowest level ever recorded by the Conference Board research group in more than 22 years of studying the issue. In 2008, 49 percent of those surveyed reported satisfaction with their jobs.

The drop in workers' happiness can be partly blamed on the worst recession since the 1930s, which made it difficult for some people to find challenging and suitable jobs. But worker dissatisfaction has been on the rise for more than two decades.

"It says something troubling about work in America. It is not about the business cycle or one grumpy generation," says Linda Barrington, managing director of human capital at the Conference Board, who helped write the report, which was released Tuesday.

Workers have grown steadily more unhappy for a variety of reasons:

-- Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting.

-- Incomes have not kept up with inflation.

-- The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into workers' take-home pay.

If the job satisfaction trend is not reversed, economists say, it could stifle innovation and hurt America's competitiveness and productivity. And it could make unhappy older workers less inclined to take the time to share their knowledge and skills with younger workers.

How about the Management Class knows they have their workers by the balls and they know they can abuse the snot out of them and they won't quit! They're wage slaves that have to stay there and take it out of fear of losing their insurance or income!

-90% Jimmy

when I complained to my former boss about the big workload due to layoffs, she told me that her bosses were telling her, the economy is bad right now and there's lots of people out there that need jobs. If your people can't handle it, find someone who can.

It was nice to be able to relate that little story at the hearing with the unemployment people. (My bastard employer actually contested my claim!)

And are finding that the joys of shopping are no substitute for freedom and time with their families. Living without sometimes has its rewards.

even, urban nature.

:hi:

...when they don't think there's another job to move to.

Add to this the simple fact that many people have taken pay/benefit cuts... which would cause people to be less satisfied with their employer anyway.

This is probably why HR executives expect a massive wave of turnover once this mess clears out... whether that's one year or five.