Today's Job Reality: Workers Grin and Bear It

March 13, 2002
A new survey of U.S. workers finds that overall job satisfaction is on the decline and workers are complaining of stress and job dissatisfaction.

A new survey of 2,500 U.S. workers finds that overall job satisfaction is on the decline - from 69 percent in January 2001 to 61 percent in February 2002.

Over half of workers state that they continue to work under a great deal of stress. Four out of 10 workers are dissatisfied with pay, and almost one-fourth of workers are dissatisfied with the experience that they are getting through their jobs.

"Job satisfaction has been steadily declining since 2001," says Barry Lawrence, a senior career advisor with CareerBuilder, which conducted the study. "Workers are growing weary as they absorb more negative corporate news and they are forced to take on additional responsibilities as companies downsize. Also, many workers are settling for second choices in career opportunities."

Stress, job dissatisfaction and other workplace factors can contribute to depression, which is a bigger problem in the workplace than most people imagine. According to "Depression: The Unseen Safety Risk," an article authored by Todd Nighswonger and scheduled for the April issue of Occupational Hazards magazine, between 15 million and 20 million adult Americans, or as much as 10 percent of the adult population, experience a depressive illness each year. At any time, one employee in 20 has depression, and depression results in more than 200 million lost workdays and costs the U.S. economy $43.7 billion annually.

The CareerBuilder Job Search 2002 was conducted Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. A total of 2,550 workers participated in the survey.

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!