Survey: Employee Morale "Low" at About a Quarter of Employers

CHICAGO -- Some of the effects of the economic downturn on the workplace -- including longer hours, less resources and increased workload -- have taken their toll on employee morale, according to a new CareerBuilder.com survey.

The online survey of more than 2,900 employers from Aug. 20 to Sept. 9, found nearly a quarter (23 percent) rate their organization's current employee morale as low. Additionally, 40 percent of workers report they have had difficulty staying motivated at work in the last year, while a quarter (24 percent) do not feel loyal to their current employer, according to CareerBuilder.com.

"Low morale levels are an unfortunate side effect of this recession," Jason Ferrara, vice president of corporate marketing for CareerBuilder, said in a statement. "As a result, employers are taking measures to help address negative workplace sentiment and motivate their employees. Whether it's through stepping up communication, offering more employee recognition programs or providing flexible work opportunities, organizations are doing what they can to proactively manage low morale."

In addition, two in five survey respondents cited having a high stress level at work, while nearly half (47 percent) said their workload has increased in the last six months, according to the survey. One-in-five are dissatisfied with their work/life balance.

And nearly two-in-five workers (38 percent) said they felt there was departmental favoritism at work. More than a quarter of workers (28 percent) don't think their department is important to senior leadership, while workers believed the following departments received preferential treatment by senior leaders: sales (15 percent), human resources (11 percent) and accounting/finance (6 percent).

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