Are you happy at work?
The Pew Research Center released a study the other day that finds that 26 percent of all employed workers in the United States have been out of work at some point since the economic downturn began. While it’s good that some people have found new jobs, what’s troubling in this study is that these workers are considerably less satisfied with their jobs than workers who didn’t suffer a period of unemployment.
According to Back at Work But… Most “Re-Employed” Workers Say They’re Overqualified for Their New Job:
- While 78% of re-employed workers say they are satisfied with their jobs, that contrasts to 89% for those who never lost a job.
- 55% say their family is worse off than before.
- Only 39% say they get a sense of identity from their job (versus 52% of continuously employed workers).
- 54% say they are overqualified for their job (versus 36% of other workers).
Fresh off Labor Day, I thought it was appropriate to look at shifting American attitudes toward work. The most interesting statistic here for me is identity because, for many Americans, identity has traditionally been wrapped up in what one does for a living.
So what are the long-term implications of an unhappy workforce? And what statistic stands out most to you?
Photo by FaceMePLS (Flickr).
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wonder if the 55% who say their family is worse off than before feel that way because of the stress put on the family when they were out of work or if the new job put more stress on the family?
Sometimes when people are desperate for a job, they take anything that comes along and it’s not always a good fit as far as work / life balance. That could increase the number of people who feel their family is worse off than before.
Sharon Mostyn recently posted..How Do You Know Who To Interact With On Social Media
Great question. Clearly the dearth of comparable jobs (and comparable salaries) is forcing people to “settle” for less. But with no real relief in the forecast, this doesn’t seem to bode well for the psyche of the U.S. workforce. At least in the short term.