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Americans feel lukewarm about their workplaces at the moment -- even as they worry that their jobs aren't particularly secure and that the Bush Administration is doing a poor job of creating employment opportunities. Those are some of the conclusions from our Sept. 24 Reader Survey.
About 53% of the 1,100-plus people who responded said their jobs are "O.K.," vs. the 19% who said they hate their jobs and the 13% who said they love them.
Those opinions likely reflect a number of factors: Some 36% of those who responded said they're working harder now than a year ago, vs. 26% who said they aren't working as hard.
WEAKNESS IN WASHINGTON. Moreover, 41% said they didn't get a raise in 2002, vs. the 45% who did. And 45% either aren't sure that they'll get a raise in 2003 or don't think they will, vs. the 51% who think their pay will rise.
Although 45% think their job is secure right now, a combined total of 48% either think their job isn't secure, or aren't sure.
Nor do a majority see much of promise on the horizon: Some 57% rate the Bush Administration's efforts to ensure that everyone who wants a good job can get one as "poor," vs. the 14% who think the Administration is doing a good job, and the 4% who give it a mark of excellent. About 66% think it would be "not easy at all" to find a new job right away, vs. the combined 27% who think they could land one pretty very easily or reasonably easily.
GLAD TO BE WORKING. The juxtaposition of opinions on staffing and productivity in the workplaces of the people who responded presents a striking picture. For instance, 17% said the number of employees in their workplace has risen over the past year -- nearly the same number (19%) who believe their company is "very productive."
Some 48% say the number of people in their workplace has fallen over the past year -- almost the same number that say their workplace is only "somewhat productive" (46%). Some 25% say the number of employees in their workplace has stayed the same in the past year -- nearly equivalent to the number that regard their company as "not very productive" (27%).
Questions on workplace likes and dislikes elicited a wide range of responses. People seem happiest with the nature of their work and "the fact that I have a job," with pay levels a distant third as a source of satisfaction. That was consistent with the answers on what people like least about their jobs, where pay nearly headed the list.
Here are the complete survey results, which as always is unscientific, since anyone who wished to could participate:
How do you feel right now about your job?
Option
Total
%
I love it
157
13.34 %
It's O.K.
620
52.68 %
I hate it
225
19.12 %
Not sure
88
7.48 %
I don't have one
87
7.39 %
Compared with a year ago, are you:
Option
Total
%
Working harder
428
36.39 %
Working about as hard
340
28.91 %
Not working as hard
307
26.11 %
Not sure
14
1.19 %
Not working at all (i.e., jobless)
87
7.40 %
Over the past year, has the number of people at your workplace:
Option
Total
%
Risen
205
17.45 %
Fallen
562
47.83 %
Stayed the same
297
25.28 %
Not sure
34
2.89 %
I don't have a workplace
77
6.55 %
In your opinion, your workplace is:
Option
Total
%
Very productive
229
19.51 %
Somewhat productive
543
46.25 %
Not very productive
317
27.00 %
Not sure
10
0.85 %
I don't have a workplace
75
6.39 %
What do you like best about your workplace?
Option
Total
%
The pay
157
13.4 %
The hours
72
6.14 %
The people
155
13.23 %
The nature of the work
232
19.8 %
The fact that I have a job
246
20.99 %
All of the above
149
12.71 %
Other
20
1.71 %
I don't like my workplace
65
5.55 %
I don't have a workplace
76
6.48 %
What do you like least about your workplace?
Option
Total
%
The pay
229
19.56 %
The hours
146
12.47 %
The people
151
12.89 %
The nature of the work
231
19.73 %
All of the above
58
4.95 %
Other
129
11.02 %
I like my workplace
146
12.47 %
I don't have a workplace
81
6.92 %
Do you feel secure in your job right now?
Option
Total
%
Yes
524
44.86 %
No
350
29.97 %
Not sure
216
18.49 %
I don't have a job
78
6.68 %
Did you get a pay raise in 2002?
Option
Total
%
Yes
528
45.13 %
I will get one before yearend
89
7.61 %
No
485
41.45 %
I don't have a job
68
5.81 %
Do you expect to get pay raise in 2003?
Option
Total
%
Yes
601
51.15 %
No
280
23.83 %
Not sure
253
21.53 %
I don't expect to have a job
41
3.49 %
If you wanted to or had to find a new job right away, how easy do you think it would be?
Option
Total
%
Very easy
40
3.40 %
Reasonably easy
283
24.02 %
Not easy at all
772
65.53 %
Not sure
83
7.05 %
How would you rate the Bush Administration's efforts to ensure that everyone who wants a good job can get one?
Option
Total
%
Excellent
52
4.43 %
Good
166
14.15 %
Poor
674
57.46 %
Not sure
281
23.96 %
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Copyright 2002, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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