Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 11, 2009 -- With 650,000 jobs lost in February, the unemployment rate in the U.S. hit a 25-year high. Also in February, The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index™ reached its all-time low. How is employee engagement in the U.S. workforce holding up under these conditions? The answer is promising.
Modern Survey conducted its third scientific study of national worker opinions during the last week of February, and found no further decline in employee engagement since August 2008. In fact, all five components of Modern Survey's Employee Engagement Index show at least some improvement over the last six months. The most dramatic improvement is a statistically significant six point increase in the percentage of U.S. workers who report a willingness to "go above and beyond" their normal job duties to help their company succeed.
Through national surveys, Modern Survey tracks employee engagement using five questions that measure the extent to which employees take pride in their company, believe they have a promising future at their company, recommend their company as a great place to work, intend to stay with their company, and will go "above and beyond" normal job duties to help their company succeed. All five of these components of employee engagement had shown clear declines from August 2007 (before the recession started) to August 2008 (after gas prices had peaked above $4.00 and the economic crisis was clearly underway).
Modern Survey posed these questions again in late February via the internet to another sample of 1,000 U.S. adults (18+ years old) who matched census data in terms of age, gender and region. As can be seen in the table below, all five components have rebounded somewhat in favorability from the clearly depressed levels we recorded in August. The largest (and statistically significant) gain is in the discretionary effort component - Goes "above and beyond" - of Modern Survey's engagement index.
"It's important to note that our survey only included people who haven't lost their jobs and are currently employed," said Bruce Campbell, a Senior Consultant at Modern Survey. "I think most people these days realize that there is nothing like a guarantee of job security anymore. Most of us know good, hard working people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Perhaps more than ever, employees are feeling a real sense of gratitude that they still have jobs, and have come to understand that the best thing they can do to improve their chances of keeping their jobs is to do whatever they can to contribute to the near-term success and long-term viability of the organizations they work for."
At least for the time being, these results suggest that the majority of employees are motivated to do their part to help the organizations they work for survive the current economic crisis. That's very good news for executives and managers in the short term. But looking forward, what can employers expect as the economy eventually recovers and employment opportunities begin to improve?
According to Modern Survey's President, Don MacPherson, there has been a major shift in how people view their employment. "Right now many people feel very fortunate to have their jobs. A year ago the same people may have felt they were entitled to their jobs. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by a job cut or layoff. The surge in cuts and general employment uncertainty is real enough to change perceptions and behaviors."
Because behaviors have been changed does not mean they will last. MacPherson says organizations need to pay attention to their employees now more than ever. "The last thing you want to do as a manager or senior leader is take your employees for granted now. Companies will have fewer people taking on greater responsibilities. Those organizations that neglect their employees by failing to provide recognition or developmental opportunities risk losing people as the economy improves and other opportunities present themselves.
"I can't stress the importance enough of checking in with your employees throughout this downturn. No management team wants to struggle during these challenging times only to lose those people who got the company through it because they were ignored."
August 2008 Engagement Index Results (percent favorable)
Takes pride in company - 71%
Sees promising future in company - 46%
Recommends company - 52%
Intends to stay with company - 52%
Goes "above and beyond" - 52%
February 2009 Engagement Index Results (percent favorable)
Takes pride in company - 74%
Sees promising future in company - 52%
Recommends company - 53%
Intends to stay with company - 57%
Goes "above and beyond" - 58%
About Modern Survey
In less than a decade, Modern Survey has established itself as a leader in the online survey industry, providing a robust suite of proprietary technologies combined with an array of consultative services that help our clients manage talent throughout the employee life cycle, measure and evaluate customer satisfaction and gain insight into changing markets. Modern Survey products and services have spanned 100 countries on six continents in over 30 languages. Each year, Modern Survey receives millions of web survey responses and generates tens of thousands of advanced reports. Through direct and partner channels, Modern Survey's tools and services have reached more than 500 companies, over 80 of which are among the Fortune 500.