Is This The Best We Can Do?

A Revealing Pew Research Center Survey on How Workers Are Experiencing the Workplace

This is an important survey as the U.S emerges from the Covid pandemic. I’ve added my interpretation of some of the data on topics I selected as a multi-generational and DEI&B trendwatcher and sort of demographic nerd. While I never called myself a demographic nerd before, I started my career as an urban planner who was not an architect or engineer and served primarily as a people-centric interpreter of demographic trends. And it came around again with my intergenerational relations and DEI&B work since 2005. So maybe the label fits.

This nationally representative survey from the Pew Research Center of 5,902 U.S. workers, including 5,188 who are not self-employed, was conducted Feb. 6-12, 2023.

Some Good News

Considering that “connection is one of the three top human motivations, there is some good news that is better than what is often reported. Most workers say they are extremely or very satisfied with their relationship at work with their co-workers (67%) and with their manager or supervisor (62%). More say they’re treated with respect (78%) and can be themselves at work (72%) all or most of the time, and majorities also say they have at least one close friend at work (65%).

Owing to this treatment, very importantly they feel that the contributions they make at work are valued a great deal or a fair amount (62%). However, these experiences vary in some ways by gender, race and ethnicity, age, and income. In general, older workers are more satisfied than young ones the survey found.

It may seem surprising that workers ages 65 and older are the most likely to say they are extremely or very satisfied with their job overall (67%), since many feel it is difficult to be hired or retained at that age level. But it seems that if they have a job, they are pretty happy and even think they have opportunity to be promoted or given new opportunities.We can hope that employers are recognizing how much wisdom and growth potential these workers have to contribute as individuals and teammates.

Red Flags

Now for some not so good news: The survey found that adults younger than 30 are the least likely to feel this way (44%). They are the least satisfied and are not so happy with the opportunities they have.Is it real or just impatience? A narrow majority of workers age 50 to 64 (55%) and about half of those 30 to 49 (51%) say they are extremely or very satisfied with their job.

About half (52%) say their employer cares about their well-being a great deal or a fair amount; 28% say their employer cares somewhat and one-in-five workers say their employer doesn’t care much or at all. It’s likely those will head for the door and seek other options.

A majority of workers (55%) say they don’t have someone at work who they consider a mentor. Given that the value of good mentoring is increasingly recognized and desired, outside mentors can fill the gap for the other more than half of workers who have gone unmentored. (I will have a lot more to say about that in the coming months with a new business venture. Stay tuned.)

For the most part, men and women express similar levels of job satisfaction overall and with specific aspects of their job, except that men are more satisfied than women with employer supplied benefits, and women report more stress. The latter is likely because women still shoulder the major domestic and parental responsibilities.

Many other surveys have reported that opportunities for training are in the top 3 needs and desired benefits at work. Only 44% are extremely or very satisfied with their opportunities for training and ways to develop new skills, while only about a third say the same about their opportunities for promotion (33%). Employers need to increase training that aligns with current and future demand for specific skills especially since needed capabilities are changing ever faster.

Workers who receive regular feedback are more satisfied with the amount of feedback they receive and their relationship with their boss. Knowing how to deliver helpful and frequent feedback is an essential leadership and teammate skill.

About a third of workers (34%) say they receive feedback on how they’re doing their job from their manager or supervisor extremely often or often; 39% say they sometimes receive feedback and 27% say they rarely or never do. These disappointing answers don’t vary significantly by gender, race or ethnicity, age, or income.

PWH Note: The question omitted asking about other kinds of feedback.

This is one area where there is opportunity to make a difference and retain desired talent.

Call to Action: Perhaps these findings will trigger some ideas for you to guide your own actions and work legacy. Whether or not there is actually a U.S. and worldwide recession in the coming months, all signs point to a labor shortage in many industries and fields for years to come, even with an increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence. You will want to be in a great place to work that attracts and retains the best talent. Speak up for needed change – be one of what Josh Bersin calls “Irresistible” leaders.