In SI Review December, 2009

Despite unemployment rates not seen in more than 25 years and businesses filing for bankruptcy, scaling back or going out of business, U.S. workers report being ready to step up and regain control of their own and their companies’ destinies, a Randstad World of Work survey reveals. Seventy-eight percent of employees surveyed said they are staying motivated and focused by maintaining a positive attitude.

 But this sentiment comes with some caution.  While the majority of employees believe now is the right time to be innovative (91%), to focus on the future (90%) and expand their roles and responsibilities (83%), only 55% think it is a good time to take risks.  Only 25% of employees expressed concern about being laid off in the next six months. Of the 75% who aren’t concerned about being laid off, 52% attributed their lack of concern to having a positive attitude, 45% attributed it to having a broad set of responsibilities, and 32% attributed it to being a key player in the company’s future success.

Of those employees who are concerned about being laid off, 46% are exploring new opportunities at other organizations while surprisingly only 28% are exploring new opportunities within their current organization. 

Gen Y is more apt than any other generation to be keeping their options open and exploring outside opportunities: Forty-seven percent have updated their resume in the past six months, and 26% have sent their resume to another organization or recruiter. 

“While much attention has been given to those who have lost jobs and are suffering economic hardships, far less attention has been given to understanding, managing and motivating the workers who are still employed,” comments Eileen Habelow, Randstad’s senior VP for organizational development.  “Many companies are missing the opportunity to energize their workforce by reminding them that their consistent, strong performance is key to the success of the company.”

The survey shows that employees are taking a hands-on approach to achieving company goals and being more involved in the success of their organization. Seventy-two percent of employees reported a personal commitment to their organization while 79% agreed it is important that they help achieve their organization’s goals.

While 57% of employees describe themselves as loyal to their employer, up 8% from 2008, the percentage of employees who consider their company to be loyal to the (25%) has remained virtually unchanged since 2005, despite major shifts in the economy.