ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A study released today by Randstad delivers new insights on employees’ predictions on career and job prospects for 2012. Almost half of workers surveyed, 48 percent, believe their companies will cut benefits in the New Year and 41 percent believe their companies will lay off workers. However, 74 percent of US workers agree that their companies have great futures.
The Randstad Employee Attachment Index, released today also reported that almost one quarter (24 percent) of employees are willing to lose their bonuses or work longer hours to keep their current jobs. Overall, Randstad’s Attachment Index remains steady this quarter. The index which measures employee engagement and retention indicates that slightly more employees report enjoying going to work this quarter and slightly more would accept a new job offer in the next six months. The findings can help companies better understand employees’ priorities and concerns as they plan staffing for the coming year.
“With the continued ups and downs of the economy, US workers report very mixed expectations for 2012,” says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president and chief employment analyst for Randstad US, the third largest staffing firm in the country. “We’re seeing about half of the workers surveyed are very positive about their companies and even their current jobs, but the other half are very nervous about maintaining their employment and benefits. Workers are indicating that they are uncertain about the New Year and many are taking precautions such as cutting back on expenses and putting more towards savings just in case.”
Randstad’s Attachment Index also indicates a widening of the gap between the most attached and the least attached employees. “Employers need to pay close attention to changes in their employee populations of the very engaged and the least engaged,” says Ruge. “Companies want to successfully engage as many employees as possible to maximize productivity, and they need to particularly focus on those workers who are most engaged and, thus, most valuable. Our research shows that 33 percent of the most highly engaged employees are likely to leave their companies if offered an enticing new job while 30 percent would seriously consider another job offer. This is a serious threat to employers as the economy recovers and as more jobs become available. Companies will need to watch this as we move into 2012.”
More Attachment Index Findings
Employee Predictions for 2012:
- 19 percent feel it is likely they will lose their jobs
- Almost a quarter (24 percent) of workers say it is likely they will get a pay cut
- 76 believe it is unlikely they will receive a promotion
- Nearly half (46 percent) expect the job market to improve in 2012
- 47 percent plan to explore other opportunities as soon as the job market picks up
Career Attitudes:
- 78 percent feel inspired each day to do their best in their jobs
- 36 percent of workers do not feel that their company shares their values
- A majority of employees (69 percent) enjoy going to work every day
- 64 percent believe their efforts at work are recognized and valued
Job Attachment:
- Almost a quarter (24 percent) of highly engaged employees are likely to seek a new job in the next 6 months
- 33 percent of highly engaged workers are likely to accept a new job if offered one in the next 6 months
- 73 percent of employees feel secure in their employment compared with 77 percent last quarter
- Retention and engagement levels for employees remain similar to the first quarter of 2011
For more information on The Randstad Employee Attachment Index and to access an executive summary of findings visit: www.randstad.com.
Methodology
The Randstad Employee Attachment Index is comprised of findings from three waves of research targeting employers and employees. In the first employer wave, a national sample of more than 534 employers was interviewed online in March 2011. In the second wave, 546 employers were interviewed online in June. Participating employers work full-time at a company with at least 50 employers and are involved in hiring decisions.
In the first employee wave, a national sample of 1,010 adults who were employed full-time were interviewed online in March. In the second wave, a national sample of 3,436 full-time employed adults were interviewed online. In the third wave, a national sample of 3,022 full-time employed adults were interviewed online.
Weighting was used to balance demographics and ensure samples reflect the U.S. population of working adults.
Employees and employers were surveyed to compare notable differences in perceptions and attitudes. Two separate waves of research allow for trending and to track changes in perceptions and attitudes over time. Research into employee attitudes and perceptions will be conducted quarterly. Research into employer attitudes and perceptions will be conducted on an annual basis.
About Ipsos Public Affairs
Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice which conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based on public opinion research. They are the international polling agency of record for Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-pa.com.
About Randstad US
Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, an $18.8 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. The company plays a pivotal role in shaping the world of work, leveraging the true value of human capital for the benefit of our clients, candidates, employees and investors.
Randstad offers a comprehensive range of HR services to our clients. They provide temporary, temporary-to-hire, direct hire and outsourced placement services for local and global customers and fulfill all aspects of commercial and professional staffing within Accounting & Finance, Office & Administration, Engineering, Healthcare, IT, Legal, Life Sciences, and Manufacturing & Logistics. Other offerings include payrolling, managed services, recruitment process outsourcing and HR consulting solutions.
Randstad provides skills assessments, career counseling, training, health coverage and 401(k) to eligible internal and external employees. With its 5,400 employment experts, Randstad puts an average of 100,000 people to work in the U.S. each week, through its network of more than 1,000 branches and client-dedicated locations.
More information is available at the company’s website, www.randstad.com.