Employment Law Alliance National Poll Shows U.S. Workers Worried Most About Finding Another Job If Unemployed And Spiraling Healthcare Costs

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than half of American workers are worried about finding a new job if they become unemployed, followed closely by concerns over their ability to pay for healthcare insurance, according to the latest “America At Work” national poll conducted by the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), the world’s largest network of employment attorneys. The ELA poll also shows Barack Obama has emerged as the preferred candidate for tackling U.S. workplace issues.

In an in-depth survey of 1,159 workers, conducted last week after the Democratic and Republican tickets were announced and just before the U.S. Labor Department reported national unemployment at a five-year high of 6.1 percent, workers were asked their views regarding a wide range of workplace-related issues, national economic issues, and their preferences between the presidential candidates regarding those challenges.

“Americans are worried about paying their bills and taking care of their families— and this poll clearly shows what scares them the most,” explained Glenn W. Dowd, partner, Labor & Employment practice, Day Pitney LLP and ELA member. “The campaign issues that will surely draw the closest voter scrutiny will be the personal ones that address healthcare and job security. We believe that future legislation coming out of this election year will focus on and address these concerns.”

American workers, a mix of full-time (83%) and part-time (17%) employees over age 18, ranked their top issues among a group of eight workplace challenges presented in the poll, conducted for ELA by the market research firm Reed Group, of Philadelphia. The margin of error based on the sample size is +/- 2.9% at a 95% confidence level. The poll results revealed:

• 51% are worried about finding a new job if they lose their current one
• 45% are troubled by the increasing cost to workers of employer-sponsored healthcare plans
• 37% fear losing a job due to poor economic conditions
• 28% are concerned about fewer job opportunities due to outsourcing

Besides ranking workplace-related issues, the respondents evaluated presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama regarding their ability to promote policies to address these workplace issues. In the four areas (noted above) causing workers the greatest concern, respondents said that they believed Senator Obama was more likely to address those challenges by margins of:

• 51% to McCain’s 20% regarding tackling the lack of affordable healthcare
• 32% to McCain’s 21% regarding the ability to find a new job
• 40% to McCain’s 25% in terms of controlling increasing healthcare insurance costs
• 40% to McCain’s 25% with respect to dealing with the possibility of job loss due to national economic woes

McCain fared significantly more favorably in the poll (60% vs. 13%) when workers were asked which candidate will more likely be able to control illegal immigration. In the survey, Obama led by wide margins when it came to issues such as making it harder for US companies to outsource jobs overseas (51% vs. 15%) and dealing with the lack of renewable energy sources (44% vs. 30%)

Dr. Ted Reed, ELA’s Survey Director, noted that ELA conducted a similar survey prior to the Pennsylvania primary in April. “Comparing the two polls, we see that workers continue to rate job security and healthcare cost issues as their top workplace priorities for the upcoming election.” He noted that unlike the April poll, this latest ELA poll represents the first time workers were asked to express their candidate preference for tackling troublesome workplace issues.

About ELA

The Employment Law Alliance is the world’s largest integrated, global practice network comprised of independent law firms recognized for their practice in employment and labor law. There are member firms in all 50 U.S. states, and over 90 countries. For further information, including access to the survey charts and graphs, visit www.employmentlawalliance.com.

About Day Pitney LLP

Day Pitney LLP, formed by the January 1, 2007 merger of Day, Berry & Howard LLP and Pitney Hardin LLP, is a full-service law firm with approximately 400 attorneys operating in offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, and Washington, D.C. The firm offers clients strong corporate and litigation practices, with experience on behalf of large national and international corporations as well as emerging and middle market companies and individuals. Day Pitney's practice areas include Energy and Utility Law, White Collar Defense and Internal Investigation, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation. www.daypitney.com.