To mark Labor Day, the Associated Press polled Americans on their attitudes
toward work. It found most of them satisfied with their jobs, though many expressed
concerns about job stress, opportunities for advancement, health care, and retirement
benefits.
About nine in 10 workers described their jobs as at least somewhat satisfying,
according to the AP.
"The level of the public's satisfaction with work is high and has been
quite stable for the last 30 years," said Tom Smith, director of the General
Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center in Chicago.
The poll, conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs, also found 7 in 10
believing they are paid fairly, with men more likely to say that than women.
Six in 10 described work as an important part of their identities.
As for complaints, one of the more frequent was increased stress. In the poll,
34 percent said they were dissatisfied with the level of it in their jobs. Other
leading complaints centered on opportunities for advancement as well as health
and retirement benefits.
The AP also reported these findings:
- Adults aged 18 to 29 were most likely to say their job was something they
mainly do to earn money.
- People over 30 were more likely to say they were very satisfied with their
jobs.
- Those most likely to say they were very satisfied were white, married, college-educated,
homeowners and Republicans.
- Sixty-one percent felt strongly that they do a good job balancing work and
family. About the same number of men and women made the claim.
- 36 percent of those surveyed strongly agreed that their job allows them
to reach their full potential.
Links
Associated Press article, via FindLaw
