Gallup Poll Shows Americans Fear Benefit Reductions
August 24, 2012 8:53 am
Worried about your job? A new Gallup Poll demonstrates that you’re in good company. Gallup’s annual Work and Education Poll tracks employees’ worries about losing their job, having their wages or benefits reduced, getting their hours cut or having their positions outsourced.
The study demonstrates that workers are not at all at ease after the financial crisis of 2008-2009 — but also that a majority of workers are not worried about their positions.
Those surveyed said they were most worried about their benefits being reduced, and with good reason. The recent crisis has allowed profitable corporations like Caterpillar to move to reduce legacy costs using economic unease as justification.
The report states:
U.S. workers feel their benefits are most at risk, which may be the first place employers seek to cut back during difficult economic times. And workers may be willing to accept such cuts over more severe measures like pay cuts or layoffs.
On a positive note, the report indicates that a majority of workers do feel secure in their positions. Whether or not this security is mere perception, the spending power of a workforce that feels secure is crucial to full recovery.