Stay Aboard Or Abandon Ship?

HARTFORD –– A rekindling of the economy may not be enough to sway some American workers to jump back into the employment market, according to a recent survey.

Sixty-five percent of participants in a nationwide poll indicated that they were not likely to change jobs in the next six months even if conditions improve.

Accountemps, a temporary staffing service for accounting, financing, and bookkeeping professionals, developed the survey. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 630 randomly selected participants living in the United States, who are 18 years or older and employed full- or part-time.

Survey participants were asked, “If the economy improved, how likely would you be to make a job change in the next six months?” Only 20 percent said they would be very likely, 14 percent somewhat likely, 13 percent somewhat unlikely, 52 percent said very unlikely, and one percent did not know.

“Job hopping was common in the late 1990s when unemployment was at record lows,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Motivating Employees for Dummies (Hungry Minds, Inc) “But an enduring recession marked by frequent layoffs has prompted workers to be more cautious.”

While most people will choose stability over the unknown at least for the short term, more than one-third of the respondents (34 percent) said they would likely change jobs if business conditions improve, underscoring the importance of staff retention efforts in any economic environment.

Younger workers are the most inclined to search for greener pastures in an upturn. Forty-eight percent of the respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said they would consider a switch, compared with only 17 percent of professionals aged 55 and up.

Not surprisingly, those with more income to lose were more likely to stay put. Only 20 percent of workers in the highest-earning households ($75,000 and up) would contemplate leaving their positions, while close to half (47 percent) of those making under $25,000 annually said they would possibly look for a new job.

“Employers should take steps now to prepare for a stronger job market,” Mr Messmer said. “Motivation is critical –– often a company’s best employees are the first to leave if their contributions continually go unrecognized and unrewarded.”