61 Percent of Americans Consider Themselves
Overworked and 86 Percent Are Not Satisfied With Their
Job, According to Monster's 2004 Work/Life Balance
Survey. Workers' Dissatisfaction with Work/Life Balance
Grows, as 89 Percent of Americans Hope to Change Jobs in
the Next Six Months, According to Monster Meter Polls
MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2004-- While
the U.S. job market continues to grow, so do Americans'
dissatisfaction with their current employment situations
and work/life balance. It is clear that workers are
ready and willing to make a change. According to
Monster's 2004 Work/Life Balance survey, 82 percent of
Americans are unhappy with their work/life balance (a)
(up from 80 percent in 2003) and 72 percent work more
than 40 hours per week (b) (up from 71 percent in 2003).
Additionally, 89 percent of workers hope to change jobs
in the next six months (c), with 84 percent also saying
the economy has hindered their ability to change jobs in
recent years (d). The Monster Meter, a product of
Monster(R), the leading global online careers site and
flagship brand of Monster Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST),
is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users'
opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the
economy, and the workplace.
"Our survey indicates that company downsizing during
the recent recession has certainly taken its toll on the
average employee, resulting in an American workforce
that is stressed and overburdened," said Steve
Pogorzelski, president of Monster, North America. "As
the job market makes strides, it is important for
today's workers to seek the right balance to ensure
happiness in their careers and their lives."
Recovery of the job market also has had profound
impact on employers. As companies look to add talent to
their workforce, they not only face the challenge of
recruiting, but also retaining their existing employees.
With 61 percent of workers overworked (e), 86 percent
dissatisfied with their job (f) (up from 83 percent in
2003), and a vast majority hoping to change jobs,
employers are tasked with sustaining their current
roster to help maintain the economic growth many
companies are experiencing. In fact, according to a poll
of Monster employers, 74 percent are indeed concerned
about retaining top talent as the economy improves (g).
Added Pogorzelski, "Retention of the workforce is
going to be a critical point in the months ahead. As we
embark on full economic recovery and job growth, the
survival and success of many companies will depend
largely on their ability to retain existing top talent.
Our polls indicate that a vast majority of workers are
dissatisfied with their jobs and ready for a change.
Therefore, it is crucial for companies to invest in and
nurture talent in their organizations, as they will be
the people who drive future growth."
(a) The results of the current Monster Meter are
based on 14,451 votes cast by Monster users from June
14th to June 21st, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only
one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
Anyone interested in voting in Monster's current online
poll may do so by logging onto Monster at
www.monster.com. Users may review the results of past
polls by going to http://content.monster.com/polls/.
These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions
of only those Internet users who have chosen to
participate.
(b) The results of this Monster Meter are based on
26,469 votes cast by Monster users from March 22nd to
March 29th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote
per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
(c) The results of the current Monster Meter are
based on 12,936 votes cast by Monster users from July
5th to July 12th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one
vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
(d) The results of this Monster Meter are based on
12,989 votes cast by Monster users from June 28th to
July 5th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote
per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
(e) The results of this Monster Meter are based on
14,923 votes cast by Monster users from March 29th to
April 5th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote
per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
(f) The results of this Monster Meter are based on
15,780 votes cast by Monster users from June 21st to
June 28th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote
per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
(g) The results of this Monster Meter are based on
697 votes cast by Monster employers on the homepage of
MOHQ from June 25th to July 12th, 2004. Only one vote
per user is counted toward the final tabulation.
About Monster
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Monster is the
leading global online careers property. A division of
Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST), Monster works for
everyone by connecting quality job seekers at all levels
with leading employers across all industries. Founded in
1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster has 22
local language and content sites in 20 countries
worldwide. Monster is the official online career
management services sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic
Team. More information is available at
www.monster.com
or by calling 1-800-MONSTER. To learn more about
Monster's industry-leading employer products and
services, please visit
http://recruiter.monster.com.