Despite Down Economy, Workers' Spirits Still Up, Says Annual Job Happiness Index

Business Wire, August 27, 2008

SnagAJob.com's Labor Happiness Index shows slight increase in job satisfaction among U.S. workers

Survey also reports on commutes, how employed Americans may vote in presidential election

RICHMOND, Va. -- Notwithstanding a slumping housing market, surging energy prices and a fluctuating stock market, nearly two thirds of employed Americans say they are happy at work, according to just-released findings from the second annual SnagAJob.com Labor Happiness Index. The 65 percent of content U.S. workers is up slightly from the 61 percent who said they were happy in their jobs last year.

While worker happiness is trending upwards slightly, the U.S. labor force is expressing marked concern over the nation's economy. Six in 10 (57%) working Americans say that the economy is the most important issue facing the country today, a dramatic year-over-year increase from the two in 10 workers (18%) who said it was the most important issue in 2007. Healthcare (21%), war (20%) and the economy (18%) were of relatively equal concern a year ago. But in deference to workers' substantial concern for the current economy, healthcare and war have now dropped to 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively, in the 2008 survey, which was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs of more than 1,000 salaried and hourly employees.

"Our annual Happiness Index each Labor Day provides a barometer as to how happy American workers are on the job," said Shawn Boyer, chief executive officer of SnagAJob.com, a Web site for hourly jobs. "This year, it's encouraging to see that the majority of hourly and salaried employees are still heading to work each day with positive feelings, especially in light of the economic roller coaster we've been riding - including high gas prices, a mortgage crisis and months of overall job losses.

"And while many workers are genuinely content at work, given today's fiscal climate, I am sure there are those who believe that simply having a job is reason enough to be happy."

Older workers, those living in the West, the happiest workers

By demographics, some of the happiest workers are those living in the West and older workers:

* For two years, the SnagAJob.com Labor Happiness Index has indicated that workers in the West are happier than those living in the Northeast, although each region is trending happier. This year, 70 percent of workers in the West call themselves happy, versus 58 percent in the Northeast. These numbers represent a 3 percent increase for the West and a 6 percent increase for the Northeast from 2007.

* Nearly three in four (74 percent) of workers ages 55-plus say they are happy, a jump from the approximately two in three older workers with the same feelings last year.

Despite gas prices, most American workers still behind the wheel for commute

Given the year's high gas prices, the SnagAJob.com Labor Happiness Index for the first time examined workers' commuting habits. One in four (26%) working Americans say they have made adjustments to their commuting habits in the last year to deal with the increased cost of getting to work. Despite this, however, eight in 10 (84%) say their primary mode of transportation for getting to work is still their car, which they drive alone. Just 5 percent of workers carpool, and reliance on public transportation is still very low. Only 2 percent of workers take the train or subway as their primary transportation to get to work, while another 3 percent ride the bus. And whether they're the majority driving the highways or the minority taking public transportation, the typical American worker commutes an average of 13.9 miles one way - with one in five (19%) traveling more than 25 miles to get to work.

"Reports indicate that Americans are driving about 5 percent less this summer than they did a year ago, but we suspect the reduction in driving may have more to do with optional miles, cutting back on vacations and extra trips to run errands, etc.," Boyer said. "Workers may not feel that they have as much flexibility on how they get to work, but employers who help to develop carpool programs and even go as far as subsidizing public transportation options will allow more workers to continue to shift their commuting habits for the better."

Employed Americans supporting Obama as the next president

Thinking about the upcoming presidential election, four in 10 (40%) working Americans say they plan on voting for Barack Obama. Meanwhile, three in 10 (32%) say they will vote for John McCain, while 3 percent say they will vote for someone else. It's possible this will change, however, as one in 10 (11%) is not yet sure for whom they will vote - and a similar proportion (13%) either doesn't plan on voting or is ineligible.

By type of worker, part-time workers are more likely to vote for Obama (49%) than for McCain (30%). Hourly workers also are giving Obama an edge, as 41 percent support Obama versus the 29 percent who plan on voting for McCain. But, the situation appears closer among salaried workers as just three percentage points separate the candidates (39% Obama, 36% McCain).