Data shows Australians are a satisfied workforce, with no worries over job security
12 July 2011
According to the latest statistics from ORC International’s perspectives database, Australian employees enjoy a low-pressure, stress-free working life, and have little concern about losing their jobs.
perspectives gathers the accumulated opinions of employees on a wide range of subjects related to their levels of engagement. The database contains the results of more than 400 organisations’ employee surveys, representing the views of approximately 1.4 million people from around the world. For each question asked, the scores have been ranked among the responses of other nations (specifically the UK, USA and Hong Kong), gauging Australia’s position in the global employer environment.
Australia ranked top with 75% agreeing with the statement, “Considering everything I am satisfied with the job I do”. They were also upbeat on job security with 66% agreeing with the statement, “I feel secure in my job”. On the same subject, 60% of respondents in the USA agreed, and just 52% in the UK.
Of the counties included, Australia also had the highest positive responses for statements regarding:
- Communication (68% positive)
- Team cooperation (84% positive)
- Fairness and respect (78% positive)
- Staff numbers (52% positive)
On top of this widely optimistic outlook, employees in Australia were also in high spirits about their remuneration packages. Again, they were the top scoring country with 57% agreeing with the statement, “Considering my duties and responsibilities, I feel my pay is fair”. The figure was far lower in the UK, with only 47% of employees satisfied with their salaries.
This picture of tranquility is also backed up by Australians’ views on their work / life balance, with 68% positive responses, compared to 69% in the UK, 66% in the USA, and 62% in Hong Kong.
Australian employees also felt they had a good understanding of their own jobs and the company as a whole. 85% agreed that are clear on what they are expected to achieve in their jobs. The same percentage also felt they understood how they contributed to the success of the company.
Interestingly, Australians did not think that poor performance was being effectively dealt with where they work, with just 34% responding positively on this subject. This suggests that while work is a comfortable, satisfying experience, employees are not pushed hard enough or picked up on when they perform badly.
Of the benchmarked countries, Australia also had the lowest positive responses when employees were asked if they thought their company was an equal opportunity employer. Respondents were 74% positive compared to 78% in the UK and 81% in the USA.
