NEW YORK, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- American workers
are increasingly worried about their income and benefits security,
as well as their employability, with aggregated concerns regarding
these issues showing a slight increase since last month (from 56%
in March to 57% in April). This combined measure shows a strong and
increasing concern, particularly among older and higher income
workers, while individual concerns show more dramatic
month-to-month shifts among all workers. These are among the
findings of the recently-introduced Harris Poll Jobs and
Benefits Security Index, which provides a score that is
measured monthly to track the changing sentiment of today's
American workers.
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The Harris Poll Jobs and Benefits Security Index offers an
internal view into today's American workplace by reporting on the
job/benefits security pulse of the worker. The online survey of 935
American workers was conducted between April
15 and 17, 2013 by The Harris Poll (full findings and data
tables available here). Key findings include:
- More U.S. workers (50% March - 53% April) expect to do more
work without getting more money in the next three months;
- More U.S. workers (20% March - 24% April) expect to have their
salary or hours reduced in the next three months;
- Less U.S. workers (61% March - 55% April) believe that if they
were going to look for a new job, they would be able to find
one;
- And, less U.S. workers believe they will get a raise from their
employer (35% March - 29% April) or receive better retirement
benefits (18% March - 13% April) in the next three months.
Looking at the aggregated Jobs and Benefits Security Index
measurement, findings of particular note are that:
- U.S. workers with an annual household income of $50,000-$74,999 (58% March-62% April) are both
the most concerned income group, and the group showing the sharpest
month-over-month rise in concern. Those with incomes of
$75,000 or more also show notable
growth in concerns (56% March-59% April).
- U.S. workers ages 55 and older (60% March-63% April) are, in an
echo of the trend above, the age group showing both the greatest
overall concern and the most prominent growth in this measure.
Harris Interactive President and Chief Executive Officer
Al Angrisani, also the former
Assistant Secretary of Labor under President Reagan, asserts that
"The Harris Poll Jobs and Benefits Security Index points to a rise
in worker insecurity about their income, benefits and employability
this past month. Specifically, workers are more pessimistic about
the likelihood of finding a job if they need to look for one, as
well as the likelihood of seeing a benefits improvement."
"Escalation in the index also speaks to structural changes
occurring in today's workplace, with employers seeking growth in
worker productivity, at the expense of hiring a new full time
employee with increasing tax and benefits costs," continues
Angrisani. "Recruiting and hiring talent and new employees appears
to have become a major investment consideration for employers and
this new phenomenon is contributing to an increase in job
'insecurity' within corporate America."
Attentive readers may notice that the study was fielded in the
wake of the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon. As such, results
may also reflect anxieties that the attack could set off a ripple
effect in the economy.
To see other recent Harris Polls, please visit the Harris
Poll News Room.
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted
online within the United States
between April 15 and 17 among 2,114
adults (aged 18 and over) of whom 935 are employed full-time or
part-time. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region
and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them
into line with their actual proportions in the population.
Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents'
propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use
probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error
which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate,
including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with
nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response
options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore,
Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are
misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible
sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted,
random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical
because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who
have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data
have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult
population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to
participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure
of the National Council on Public Polls.
The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in
advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written
permission of Harris Interactive.
The Harris Poll® #24,
May 2, 2013
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive, Inc.
(NASDAQ: HPOL) is one of the world's leading market research firms,
leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform
relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for
the Harris Poll® and for pioneering innovative
research methodologies, Harris offers proprietary solutions in the
areas of market and customer insight, corporate brand and
reputation strategy, and marketing, advertising, public relations
and communications research. Harris possesses expertise in a wide
range of industries including health care, technology, public
affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance,
media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods.
Additionally, Harris has a portfolio of multi-client offerings that
complement our custom solutions while maximizing our client's
research investment. Serving clients in more than 196 countries and
territories through our North American and European offices, Harris
specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our
clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please
visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
Press Contact:
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Harris Interactive
212-539-9600
press@harrisinteractive.com
SOURCE Harris Interactive