DEAR READERS: Labor Day generated two interesting employee surveys (by Adecco and DDI) about the state of the American worker. With all the media focus on layoffs, there hasn't been as much attention on the "survivors." But let me warn those with weak constitutions: It's not a pretty picture in cubeville today. And this has wide implications. Which reminds me of a recent trip I took to the top of the Seattle's Space Needle. The elevator operator mentioned that someone once asked why they couldn't see the Space Needle from the Space Needle itself.
Sometimes we get so close to something that we can't see it. OK, in the case of the Space Needle, it's slightly pathetic, but it's also a problem at work. I hear from people who work for bosses who seem to be in a fog about the impact the difficult economy has on workers' psyches and productivity.
Adecco found that 66 percent of workers are unsatisfied with their paycheck. That shouldn't be a surprise. With pay cuts, benefit cuts and millions of laid-off spouses, there is frustration out there about pay. For every guy owed a $100 million bonus by Citigroup, most of us are moving backward when it comes to our paychecks. My mail tells me that many workers feel that their companies are taking advantage of the crisis to reduce pay and perks for everyone not at the top rungs.
I was also surprised to discover that 48 percent of workers don't like the relationship they have with their boss and 59 percent don't feel like they're working from the same page with their coworkers. Clearly, this isn't a let's-pull-together-to-make-it-through-tough-times economy. Unlike earlier economic stumbles, where people pulled together, it seems that today we're hanging separately, to paraphrase Ben Franklin.
But the real surprise to me was the 76 percent who reported that they're unhappy with their future career opportunities with their company. Three-quarters! With all the layoffs, this should be one area where employees see opportunity. This is a reflection of how most companies have not included employees in the process of coping with the tough times and paints a bleak picture.
DDI's study had equally chilling and depressing results. Forty-six percent of employees surveyed said they were twice as likely to "just do their job and go home." They also reported that employees were ready to look for a new job as soon as the economy improves. Finally, they report that the survivors are willing to do what they're asked but nothing more.
I fear that many executives believe that their employees are delighted to have a paycheck and do a good job. But as these results show, workers aren't like an Etch-A-Sketch that can be shaken and all the fears disappear. No, many of us are carrying grudges about what has happened.
I'm not trying to needle you. Just trying to remind everyone that it's not wise to overlook employee concerns during tough times.
WORKPLACE911 EXECUTIVE POINTS
Executive Summary, Employee attitudes during tough times:
-- 66 percent of employees are disappointed with their paycheck
-- 48 percent of employees are unhappy with their relationship with their boss
-- 59 percent of employees are not on the same page with their coworkers
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