02.08.11
Employees a Little More Optimistic
“Despite recent economic reports that show jobless claims easing, employees reveal mixed feelings about what is in store at their employer, for the overall job market and their pay check in the year ahead.” A recent survey of 2,118 U.S. adults over the age of 18 indicates that “employees were more confident in their job security and company’s outlook in the next six months than they were in the third quarter. However . . . they remained pessimistic about pay raises and grew more uncertain about the job market since last quarter.”
Almost half of those surveyed reported that their employers made changes to the number of staff, organizational structure, compensation and benefits, or other perks in the past six months. One-quarter of participants reported that their own compensation was reduced. Health and dental benefit cuts peaked at the highest level in two years. 45% of these employees stated that they do not expect a pay raise in 2011.
Concerns about layoffs dropped in the last quarter. Employees concerned that they could be laid off in the next six months dropped to 17%, down from 20% in the third quarter. Layoff concerns are highest among 35-44 year olds and more among men than women. Concerns for coworker layoffs also dropped slightly to 31%.
“42% of employees reported that they expect their company outlook to get better in the next six months, up from 38% in the third quarter. Only 9% expect their company’s outlook to get worse in the next six months, down from 13% in the third quarter.”
From www.northbaybusinessjournal.com. Survey by Harris Interactive for Glassdoor.