Confronted With Terrorism Threats and Layoffs Workers Re-evaluate Work and Life
RESTON, Va., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Post September 11, workers are now re-
evaluating work and careers as well as the way they approach work and life,
according to a new CareerBuilder survey of more than 1,100 full-time workers,
Worker Resilience: Post-9/11. According to the survey, thirty-two percent of
U.S. workers report "concern" about being harmed by further terrorist attacks
and 23 percent report concerns about layoffs.
"September 11 has forced every worker into a high alert status," said
Diane Strahan, a career expert and vice president of marketing with
CareerBuilder, the recruiting source for connecting employers with the right
talent and professionals with the right jobs -- in print and online. "At the
same time, workers are finding greater appreciation for the simpler things in
work and life."
While 43 percent say that the events of September 11 have not affected
their lives at work, more than half of all full time workers reported new work
behaviors that include:
* Appreciation of the comfort provided by a work routine (13 percent).
* Appreciation of co-worker friendships (12 percent).
* Feelings of greater vulnerability (12 percent).
* Feelings of anxiety (8 percent).
* Difficulty concentrating at work (6 percent).
Amazingly, worker productivity is up since September 11 as workers find
refuge in the routine of work and in the fellowship of coworkers. While only
48 percent of workers said that they were able to complete the majority of
planned tasks each workday as surveyed in August, productivity measures rose
to 61 percent in October.
"Companies and their leaders are more focused than ever, laying out clear
goals and objectives in the wake of current events -- probably because of this
new economic environment and the drive to succeed in the face of terrorism,"
added Strahan.
In addition, layoff threats continue to complicate workers' lives. Sixty-
seven percent of workers say a threat of layoff exists at their companies,
with 14 percent reporting that their companies have already had a layoff.
Still, workers are bullish about their job chances with four-in-ten reporting
that they can find a comparable job in less than one month.
"It's a mixed bag of emotions right now," said Strahan. "Many workers
are looking inward right now, poised to take on new challenges at work and at
home."
About the Survey
The CareerBuilder Worker Resilience: Post-9/11 was conducted October 25,
2001, through October 30, 2001. A total of 1,187 full-time workers
participated in the survey. To collect data for the survey, CareerBuilder
commissioned SurveySite to use an e-mail methodology whereby individuals who
are members of SurveySite Web Panel were randomly selected and approached by
e-mail invitation to participate in the online survey. The results of this
survey are accurate within +/- 2.8 percent.
About CareerBuilder, LLC
CareerBuilder, backed by media giants Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) and
Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI), is the leading provider of targeted Web recruiting.
Through the CareerBuilder Network, employers can post jobs to pinpoint exactly
the right candidates by location, industry or diversity. Job seekers can
instantly search more than 70 of the Internet's best career sites, in just a
couple of clicks. CareerBuilder also provides personalized career services and
advice. The CareerBuilder Network is the most powerful career network on the
Web, including careerbuilder.com -- the flagship career center -- and the
career centers of premier destination sites including Bloomberg.com,
iVillage.com latimes.com, Philly.com, chicagotribune.com and BayArea.com.
Visit CareerBuilder at http://www.careerbuilder.com.
CareerBuilder Media Contact
For all media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Jennifer Grasz
(P) 773-527-1164
(E) jennifer.grasz@careerbuilder.com
