Did you see that this Tuesday The Associate Press reported on The Conference Board’s survey findings on work satisfaction. In a nutshell:
- Only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work.
- This is the lowest level recorded in 22 years of this survey
- Only 51% of people find their jobs interesting
- Of the under 25s, 64% of workers say they’re unhappy at work.
Before you think this is just a US thing, the trends pretty much tally with recent findings from the CIPD who report only 37% of Brits as saying they’re satisfied at work.
The Conference Board put the figures down to low job interest, incomes not keeping up with inflation and the percentage of US pay that now goes toward health insurance, whilst the CIPD highlight the need for more employee communication and consultation.
The concern on both sides of the pond is that, left unaddressed, this problem could stifle the future growth of US and UK economies.
Hmmmm.
This expression of the problem – admittedly my paraphrasing of it – got me thinking.
What if, instead of looking at this phenomenon through the eyes of The Economy, the researchers and all those people who are able to give the experience of work to others took a different tack? What if they stepped into the moccasins of the tribe of people who are dissatisfied with work and tried to understand how things are from their perspective?
What would they see?
That the whole current employment idea, that they are tethered to a company in lieu of large chunks of their lives in order to get payroll numbers, job grades, pay and benefits – even if childcare and sabbaticals are part of the arrangement – isn’t really cutting it for them any more?
That the strictures of cubicle offices, even the most expensive architecturally designed ones, often make them feel hemmed in?
That, these days, they see through the stories they’re told and the games that go on around them in the name of personal and organisational progress?
That they increasingly experience work to be soulless and that they often feel robbed of their energies by having to engage in meaningless pursuits?
That this recession has meant that many of them have been emotionally and financially kicked in the teeth. But that what’s happened now has just been confirming data about their sense of value, or rather, dispensability?
That some of them are choosing to stay in their current jobs for now but are either moonlighting to develop their coaching or blogging businesses, or polishing off their CVs, so that when The Economy turns, they’ll be off?
That others of us have already left to set up lifestyles for ourselves that allow us entirely different working experiences – ones that honour our spirit?
I don’t know about you, but for me that kind of report would make for interesting reading and give the real people behind the job (dis)satisfaction statistics their place.
What do you think?
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Well, top management don’t see (or don’t care) about the true feelings of the workforce. But I must admit that working everyday with the same kind of work with the same kind of place is depressing. It degrades our creativity and defeats growth. I believe that it’s a consequence we must suffer if we are to settle ourselves to work from others.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment, Walter. I really appreciate your dropping by.
The thing I haven’t addressed in this post is the element of choice that we have in working for others or not. I know other bloggers would say categorically that people can choose to leave big organisations, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that, and – besides – I sometimes think that escaping doesn’t always allow for understanding. Working for others is for many a reality. Awakening to that reality and being present to it, I believe offers, the opportunity for significant personal growth.
Take care for now.
When we talk about work-life issues, and getting policies in place to facilitate the reality of parenting, caregiving or just plain old life, I fear we’re providing a quick coat of paint and new curtains for a house that’s really a tear down.
Something I’ve been thinking about for a while and from your post today and Mama Bee’s yesterday, it’s all connected. The model is broken. We have to start over.
Chrysula thanks so much for your brilliant comment. I particularly like the words:
“I fear we’re providing a quick coat of paint and new curtains for a house that’s really a tear down.”
Completely agree with you – I really do feel that we’re using a model and concept of work that might have worked for immediate post-industrial revolution times, but is becoming an anachronism in our complex, modern society. Time to start over, indeed.
I didn’t see Mama Bee’s post yesterday, but I’m about to correct that now!
Appreciate your taking the time out here.
I think there is an exciting time ahead of us. I think a lot of people have really had enough of not being fulfilled in their work and are realising that only they have the power to change that situation (like I am doing). The old model of how we work, just isn’t cutting it.
I agree, Jen.
It’s exciting to be alive at a time when people are indeed waking up to the fact that they feel unfulfilled by the work they’re doing and are choosing to change things for themselves – as indeed you are. I wonder where the whole model of “work” will end up, but one thing’s for sure – work is changing, whether employers want to pay attention to that reality or not!
Thanks as ever!
Interesting stuff, Christine. Last year we were forced to take 6 days furlough which basically meant a pay cut even though our individual company made money. We are owned by a much larger corporation that has not done well. I also see a lot of people moonlighting just to make ends meet and people moonlighting online are hoping to maybe be able to make their livelihood online.
Fortunately I like my job and I am paid well but I see a whole lot of apathy out there. I also tend to think that people are moonlighting to add some spice to their lives, apart from their hum-drum work lives.
Best,
Bob
One driver of all this dissatisfaction is our universal abuse of connectivity and our ability to work 24×7. Couple that with a lack of perspective we’ve got trouble.
Some jobs, especially senior level jobs, require these long hours – and that is an individual work-life choice made as a career investment. But when I see my younger employees doing this same thing – it is clear that they are forgoing other parts of their lives and that is not good.
The definition of “Business as Usual” needs to be thought through very carefully – by everyone!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for sharing this. I think there is a lot of apathy around and I’m happy for you that you enjoy your job. I can see that some people moonlight to add some spice to life – not just to plan their escape! I must admit I hadn’t been thinking of that when I wrote this post, so thanks for reminding me!
Take care.
Thanks for your comment, Jon. I found it really thought-provoking.
You make a really good point about connectivity and our ability to work 24×7. I personally suspect that technology advances, which I love on many levels, are also fostering new and different kinds of addiction.
I have no issue with people actively choosing to work long hours and putting in the effort to build their careers and business. But I am curious that some people seem to get sucked into this, imagining it’s just the way things are and that they have no choice. Like you I wonder what parts of themselves and their lives the avoid or forego in the process.
And, yes, everyone has a role in changing how things are currently!
I think we are seeing a structural change. The business world must change in order to keep going with the current trends. On the other hand, it’s still cool to see that 50% of people are satisfied at work, they must have read this blog
Thanks, Oscar.
Very true. Someone did a Tweet the other day saying they thought that jobs would be a thing of the past in twenty years time. I don’t know about that, but corporations certainly need to change. Meanwhile, there’s lots of possibility for those who are ready to see the choices they have at present.
Part of me wants everybody to discover lifestyle design and be happy with their work. But another part of me thinks that someone has to do the crappy office jobs
There’s a truth in that I think, Anthony. Office jobs are some people’s work of choice – whether they’re choosing consciously or not. I guess the question then is whether they need to feel so crappy!
I just wanted to thank you and your readers for bringing such important points about the nature and future of work statisfaction and organizational culture to the forefront. Like you and Chrysula, I am a practicing organizational consultiant who is branching out into the field of career coaching.
I wholeheardly agree with Chrysula’s astute comment. It is time to stop remodeling and draw up some new blueprints. I am now starting my own practice to help new moms working through career exploration and transition, and I will continue to help organizations create satsifying work environments. As I new mother I hope to model positive work engagement and help others do the same. I look forward to joining in more of these conversations with you. Thanks again!
Rachael, thanks for your comment, and it’s great to know there’s another kindred spirit who supports the need to start afresh in building the house of work.
I love the name of your “coming soon” site! I’m not a mom myself, but In my experience, pregnancy and new parenthood can be times of significant career upheaval and soul-searching for mothers. I think this is not well understood, and less well supported. So it’s terrific that your coaching focuses on helping new moms navigate all of that. Power to you in all of that!
I’d be interested to hear when your site is up and hope we can take some of the conversation over there too!