Facts and Opinions April 2009

Retirement Concerns

According to a survey of 568 American adults, 59 percent say they are concerned that their pensions and 401(k)s won't contain enough to retire on when retirement day arrives.

Source: Workplace Options and Public Policy Polling, both of Raleigh, N.C.

Hiring Freeze?

Forty-six percent of 8,000 U.S, companies surveyed in January report they are not in a hiring freeze, and 68 percent predict normal hiring will return by the third quarter this year.

Source: TalentDrive, Chicago

Addiction treatment

Nearly three out of four of 1,000 surveyed Americans (71 percent) say health insurance should cover the cost of addiction treatment, while 56 percent report their company does not have an employee-assistance program to deal with addiction.

Source: Hazelden, Center City, Minn

Re-electing the Boss

In a survey of 2,636 employed Americans, 66 percent say they would re-elect their supervisor, if given the opportunity, while 27 percent believe their bosses possess personality traits worthy of impeachment proceedings.

Source: Harris Interactive, Rochester, N.Y. and Randstad Us, Altanta

Whistle While You Work

When asked how they feel about work, 62 percent of 41,280 professionals say they "look forward to coming to work every day."

Source: HR Solutions' National Normative Database, Chicago

Intern Interest

Asked if they would accept less pay in exchange for greater work experience, 70 percent of 42,000 college students said they would.

Source: InternBridge, Boston

Budget Cuts
According to a new survey of 3,000 hiring managers and HR professionals, 38 percent expect their organizations to curtail certain perks, benefits and activities in 2009. Among the expected cuts are:

Company social events 65%
Business Travel 61%
Coffee ice machines 34%
Healthcare benefits 25%
Philanthropic activities 21%

Source: CareerBuilder.com, Chicago

Are Employees Afraid to Speak?

People are worried you'll shoot the messenger, so you need to create a safe place. Enable them to give feedback in small groups. A group can say things to management that individuals can't. But then you need to act on their input so they'll want to give it again.

Michael Beer - Chairman, TruePoint; professor, Harvard Business School
Source: Fortune Magazine - Writer Mina Kimes

Do Employees Speak Honestly?

If you see people looking around in meetings, waiting for you to speak that's a telltale sign they aren't being open. I want leaders who can push back. We have training programs to encourage employees to discuss the undiscussable, even if others don't want to hear it.

David Novak - CEO, Yum Brands
Source: Fortune Magazine - Writer Mina Kimes

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