Working Conditions

Working Conditions

Looking for the Perfect Job

America wants less work, more play, more family time, and better benefits

Feeling overwhelmed by the job-family-house juggling act? Are you willing to give up a higher salary for more time with time with family and flexible working conditions? If so, you’re not alone. Across America, workers are opting for jobs that give them more control over their work schedules, more autonomy at the office and better dependent care benefits. The bottom line : Americans want more balance in their lives, more time to smell the roses.

It’s no wonder, given that 42 percent of American workers went through downsizing and 28 percent see cutbacks in their companies’ management ranks every year. Workers know that they can no longer depend on a job for life and a guaranteed pension. Without that security, they’ve no longer willing to commit themselves entirely to their jobs.

Does this mean that American workers are increasingly disloyal to their bosses? Hardly, but according to a Families and Works Institute (FWI) study on the changing American work force. American workers are more dedicated to their own jobs and their own well-being than to their supervisors or companies.

“Americans are looking for something different,” notes FWI co-president Ellen Gallinsky. “They want quality – in their own work, in their work environment, and in their relationships at home and work. And when they get it, they are more committed, productive employees.”

Equality in jobs? Credit image: Elena.

The workplace may be more diverse than ever, but many workers still feel victimized by discrimination and believe unfair barriers are holding them back. While 15 percent of U.S. Workers say they have experienced discrimination in their current jobs, more than one-fifth of minorities feel they have. Minority men and women, as well as white women, feel white men have the best chance at success. Overall, men are more confident in their opportunities than women. And workers seem ambivalent, at best, about diversity in the workplace. Galinsky’s study suggests that most people prefer working with others of the same sex, race, and education. On the other hand, those already working in ethnically diverse environments prefer them.

Some habits are particularly resistant to change. Women still hear the brunt of household chores. They do most of the cooking, cleaning, shopping, paying bills, and child care. But when people living in dual-income homes were asked if the housework was evenly split, 43 percent of the men said yes, while only 19 percent of the women did. The division of labor inside the home is unlikely to change any time sooner – younger men are no more likely to do an equal share of the housework than older ones.

Daydream Nation

The results of an Exec magazine survey of 3,000 readers about office daydreams:

Can you daydream while simultaneously talking with someone, including your boss? – Yes – 59%, No – 41%. Did you ever daydream about being CEO of your company – Yes – 73%, No – 27%. Do you ever drean about having sex with a co-worker? – Yes – 77%, No – 23%.

What workers want

The following statistics are a snapshot of the hopes and aspirations of American workers as gleaned from a 1993 study by the Families and Work Institute. Here’s what workers said when they were asked what they consider “very important” in finding the right job.

Open communications – 65%; Effect on personal/family life – 60%; Nature of work – 59%; Management quality – 59%; Supervisor – 58%; Gain new skills – 55%; Control over work content – 55%; Job security – 54%; Co-worker quality – 53%, Stimulating work – 50%; Job location – 50%; Family-supportive policies – 46%; Fringe benefits – 43%; Control of work schedule – 38%; Advancement opportunity – 37%; Salary/wage – 35%; Access to decision makers – 33%; No other offers – 32%; Management opportunity – 26%; Size of employer – 18%.

How do you spell success?

Respondents were asked what being successful in their work life means:

Personal satisfaction from doing a good job – 52%;

Earning the respect of recognition of supervisors and/or peers – 30%;

Getting ahead or advancing in job or career – 22%;

Making a good income – 21%;

Feeling my work is important – 12%;

Having control over work content and schedule – 6%.

Equal Partners?

How fair is your household’s division of labor? A breakdown of who does the work in dual-income households:

Cooking: men – 15%, women – 81%;

Cleaning — men – 7%, women – 78%;

Shopping – men – 18%, women – 087%;

Paying bills – men – 35%, women – 63%;

Repairs – men – 91%; women – 14%.

Working shoes. Photo: Elena

Equal responsibility?

Inequality in child rearing continues despite the increase of working women.

Working women who say they take major responsibility for their children – 71%; men who do – 5%.

Equal Opportunity?

Managers were asked how the perceive their opportunities for professional advancement:

Poor – men 7%; women 19%.

Fair – men 9%; women 20%;

Good – men 51%; women 34%;

Excellent – men – 33%; women – 26%.

Working Hard for the Money: a Roundup

    The average worker spends more than 45 hours a week on the job, including overtime and commuting.

    Eighty percent of workers say their jobs require them to work very hard, and 65 percent say they require working very fast.

    Forty-two percent of workers say they feel “used up” by the end of a workday.