Alcalá View 1988 4.8

U.S. workers generally feel positive about their jobs Ily Cathy Fleming Despite vast changes that have occurred and are occur- ring in the United States economy, American workers feel positive about many key factors that affect their sat- isfaction with their work, according to a recent national survey completed by the Wyatt Company, a human resources consulting agency. The survey, which was completed during the summer of 1987, indicated that work- ers generally are satisfied with pay and benefits -- but they want management to be less tolerant of poor perform- ance. The majority of those sur- veyed said they feel well- informed about corporate direction and human resource programs -- but they want management to listen more to what they have to say and act upon that input. Employees feel less com- mitted to their employers, according to the survey, largely due to less job secu- rity and fewer advancement opportunities. Still, workers indicated a high commitment to quality and a job done well. Highlights of the survey: Pay and performance * More than 66 percent said they were paid fairly compared to people doing similar jobs. * 48 percent said they were generally satisfied with their pay. * 53 percent of the men were satisfied with their pay, compared to just 44 percent of the women. * 46 percent said there was little connection between pay and performance. * Nearly half of the respondents indicated that

necessary to achieve those goals. * Only 40 percent, how- ever, said their companies seek employee input on key issues. * Just 29 percent said management acts on employee suggestions when they do seek input. * 25 percent indicated they do not feel free to express their opinions at all. Management style Managers surveyed said their companies' manage- ment style was more con- servative than innovative, more bureaucratic than entrepreneurial and more reactive than proactive. * 43 percent said the management style of their company was task oriented, while 21 percent said it was people oriented. * 41 percent said manage- ment is bureaucratic, while 25 percent described it as entrepreneurial. * 40 percent called man- agement reactive, compared to 18 percent who said proactive. (Continued from page 2) percent of those screened registered high cholesterol levels, alerting those indi- viduals that consultation with their doctors should be considered. Cholesterol, a crystalline substance that forms in the body from a diet heavy in solid fats such as lard, cream, butter, and beef and lamb fat, is a leading cause of heart disease. Human Resources and Mercy Hospital jointly spon- sored the testing program. Because of the high level of employee interest in the program, Human Resources staff members plan to inves- tigate other medical screen- ing programs that can be brought to campus. Cholesterol screening

Career advancement and commitment Employees generally like their jobs, but feel pessi- mistic about career devel- opment and advancement opportunities, the survey found. * 64 percent said they gain a sense of personal accomplishment from their work. * Only 35 percent indi- cated their companies offer good opportunities for advancement. * Just 39 percent said that other employees at their place of employment are committed to the com- pany as "more than just a place to work." * Half of the respon- dents said they would rec- ommend their company as a good place to work. Employee communica- tions The survey indicated that companies are doing a good job with downward communication, but are falling short in encour- aging upward communica- tion. * 71 percent of the respondents reported they . have a good understanding of company goals. * 57 percent said they understand the strategies

managers are too tolerant of poor performers. * Only 29 percent said that those promoted were the most competent employees. * Less than half of those surveyed feel performance evaluations help them improve job performance. Benefits The survey also found that American workers generally are satisfied with their benefits packages, but concerned about retirement benefits. * 58 percent indicated satisfaction with their ben- efits package. * 59 percent said their company was going "a good job of providing information on benefits." * About 25 percent reg- istered dissatisfaction with retirement benefits. Experts expect the level of dissatisfaction with retirement benefits to grow during the next several years because as the baby boom generation moves closer to retirement work- ers will scrutinize their benefits more carefully. In addition, many baby boomers don't believe they will get back from Social Security what they are paying into the system.