Workers Say Improved Economy Is Not Showing In Work Life

The “Working in America: The Disgruntled Workforce” survey conducted by Harris Interactive and sponsored by Kronos also found that 46% of working adults say that they may leave their current employer if the economy continues to improve.

In a press release, Kronos said the survey showed that 77% of respondents are either actively or passively looking for a new job. Thirty nine percent have reported looking for a new job while at work. Of those, 94% spend up to three hours at work networking or searching online job postings.

In the last six months 43% of workers have had an increase in their work hours, and 68% have experienced an increase in job responsibilities and workload, according to Kronos. With an increase in work hours and workload, one would expect an increase in compensation. But, only 45% of workers reported receiving a raise in the last six months.

Jared Bernstein, director of the living standards program at the Economic Policy Institute, said in a news release, “… as this recovery progresses, the gap between real wage growth and productivity just keeps widening. Our economy’s definitely improving. But it’s leaving a lot of people behind.”

Another factor disgruntling employees is the difficulty in maintaining a good work/life balance. Fifty three percent of respondents in the survey said work left them feeling overtired and overwhelmed and 25% said their family and personal well-being suffers. Ten percent of respondents have used leave time under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and of those 31% said they conducted work-related activities while on leave.

Harris Interactive conducted the online survey in the US on behalf of Kronos Incorporated between Aug. 2 and Aug. 8, 2005 among a nationwide cross-section of 1,052 full-time employed adults aged 18 and over.