Americans Can't Get No Job Satisfaction

Last week, the Associated Press reported on the Conference Board study that shows only 45% of American workers are satisfied with their jobs -- the lowest level since the group began studying the issue in the late '80s.

 

According to the AP article, the study found: "Workers have grown steadily more unhappy for a variety of reasons: 

• Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting.

• Incomes have not kept up with inflation.

• The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into workers' take-home pay.

If the job satisfaction trend is not reversed, economists say, it could stifle innovation and hurt America's competitiveness and productivity. And it could make unhappy older workers less inclined to take the time to share their knowledge and skills with younger workers."

 

So who's at fault for what potentially could be the demise of American productivity and creativity? Is it the employer for not making work and jobs more interesting and rewarding, or is it the employees' fault for not doing the same?

 

According to a study conducted by Monster.com and the Human Capital Institute last October, a majority of workers believe employers have exploited the recession to get more out of the workforce for less pay and fewer rewards. The press release says that the research "reveals a dramatic difference in how employers and workers perceive the impact of the current recession, potentially leading to employers facing mass talent drains as the labor market begins to turn. The reason -- employers are vastly overrating the morale of their employees as 84 percent of those surveyed indicated a belief that their workforce is content simply to have a job while only 58 percent of workers feel that way."

 

If you take a look at Grant Cardone's entry on The Huffington Post, he seems to think workers have been a little spoiled in recent history. "There is much more personal responsibility at play here that was obviously not included in the survey's questions," he writes. "The American worker is being forced to face reality for the first time in many years. The fantasy economy is over, the days of just sticking around and your job is secure, pay raises and your tenure gets you promoted is over. The 'toys' of the American worker have been taken away and they are disappointed." Ouch!

 

So, after reading these harsh words, what can you do? This KATU.com piece suggests following your passion to get on the road to job satisfaction.

 

Not sure where to start? Check out these resources, and let us know how you feel: Are you satisfied with your work? If not, who's to blame?

• "Discover the Work You Were Born to Do"

• "Passion Can Drive Your Career"

• "Create Your Own Opportunities"

• Explore Potential Career Paths

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