14 DAY TRIAL // A new national poll conducted in the United States has revealed that half of all employees feel that the amount of money they get for their work makes them feel undervalued and plays a role in the stress they feel. A large proportion is also reporting experiencing excessive levels of stress daily.
A comparison of happiness and satisfaction levels between employees and the unemployed reveals that the latter group is a lot less happy and satisfied. Those who have a job naturally feel they are better off.
But the results of this survey shows that this good mood is affected by excessive stress levels, with some 36 percent of respondents saying that they are stressed by at least some aspects of their jobs, PsychCentral reports.
About 49 percent of workers say that their low salaries are also having an impact on the levels of stress they are experiencing. This issue has many sides, and is a symptoms of more complex problems.
For instance, those who work for low wages feel they are constantly being targeted by their employers. If they complain about the pay, then they are replaced with other people, previously unemployed, who are just happy to get a chance to work.
This type of situation, which was brought about by the global financial crisis the United States started, is a goldmine for employers, who can literally go wild with their workers' paychecks. For the average employee, this situation only adds to the stress their jobs already entail.
Harris Interactive conducted this poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association. It was carried out online between January 31 and February 8, and identified a host of things people complain about in regards to their jobs.
For example, 43 percent of respondents said that they lack the opportunities needed to grow and advance hierarchically, while another 43 percent said that the workload was too heavy. Some 4 percent blasted the long hours, while roughly the same number said job expectations were unrealistic.
The poll showed that only 57 percent of employees nationwide were satisfied with the work-life practices they carried out their activities in. Only 43 percent of all respondents got the non-monetary rewards and recognition they felt they deserved.
When asked whether they were interested in getting a new job elsewhere, 32 percent said they were thinking about doing so in the next year. Only half of those who took the survey felt appreciated at the workplace overall.
The new research again highlights the fact that it's vital for employers to take the necessary steps to ensure the well-being of their employees. This helps reduce stress, the number of medical leave days, and also contributes significantly to improving productivity.
A little encouragement and appreciation can really go a long way.