posted on September 6, 2004 11:10:03 AM new
Poll: Most Find Satisfaction in Their Jobs
Mon Sep 6, 8:47 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A majority of Americans say they find satisfaction in their jobs, according to an Associated Press poll, though many express concerns about job stress, health care and retirement benefits.
Peggy Branan, a 44-year-old nurse in the New Orleans area, is among about half of the population who say they are "very satisfied" with their job.
"I feel blessed to be able to get paid for what I enjoy doing," said Branan, a nurse for 21 years. "I'm very active in my church. My role as a nurse is a way to fulfill my role as a Catholic."
Seven in 10 surveyed said they are paid fairly. Men were more likely than women to feel this way.
For Branan, work is an important part of who she is. That same feeling was shared by six in 10 workers.
As people celebrate Labor Day this weekend, about nine in 10 workers say they find their job at least somewhat satisfying, according to the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs.
"The level of the public's satisfaction with work is high and has been quite stable for the last 30 years," said Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center in Chicago.
One of the more frequent complaints is the growing amount of stress at work. In the poll, 34 percent said they were dissatisfied with the amount of stress. Other leading complaints included opportunities advancement as well as health and retirement benefits.
Adults age 18 to 29 were most likely to say their job was something they mainly do to earn money.
For 24-year-old Annie Blaase of Chicago, her full-time job selling health care software is relatively enjoyable. Still, her main love is freelance writing, which is part time.
"The sales I do to pay the rent and pay bills," Blaase said. "But the writing, that's my catharsis. It has more to do with who I am as a person."
People over 30 were more likely to say they were very satisfied with their jobs.
"I've got a lot of responsibility — taking care of the highways," said Larry Turner, a 55-year-old supervisor of highway work in West Virginia.
Those most likely to say they were very satisfied were white, married, college-educated, homeowners and Republicans.
The poll found that 42 percent said their jobs were interesting nearly all of the time. One-half of those surveyed said their job is interesting most of the time, but has dull stretches.
Women were more likely than men to say their jobs were interesting nearly all the time.
Some 61 percent felt strongly that they do a good job balancing work and family. About the same number of men and women made this claim, although those who work more than 40 hours a week were less certain they have struck the balance.
For 26-year-old Curtis Porterfield, having a 4-year-old son and a second child on the way is reason enough to achieve a balance.
"I have to work a full week to make ends meet," said Porterfield, a water quality specialist from Lakeland, Fla. "When overtime is available, I don't usually take it. I could use the pay, but I would rather spend the time with my family."
The poll also found that:
_36 percent of those surveyed strongly agreed that their job allows them to reach their full potential.
_People were evenly split on how they feel about going back to work after a long weekend or a few days off.
The AP-Ipsos poll of 589 workers was taken Aug. 16-18 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
posted on September 6, 2004 02:54:11 PM new
This article proves a few things. One, people are more satisfied to have a job rather than be unemployed. Two, they continue to be stressed about losing their job, affording health care, and having enough money for their retirement.
Bush's policies has put over a million people out of work, many of those who have again found jobs are now working more and getting paid less than before Bush took office.
Over a million people have lost and cannot afford to purchase health insurance for themselves or their families.
The economy and stock market is stale and stagnant.
Such accomplishments from a guy who ran every business he ever had straight into the ground. Go figure.
posted on September 6, 2004 03:19:16 PM newThose most likely to say they were very satisfied were white, married, college-educated, homeowners and Republicans
posted on September 7, 2004 01:40:05 PM new
Well, this says a whole lot. I'm satisfied with my job. I love what I do. Am I satisfied with the money? No. Am I satisfied with having no benefits? No. Am I satisfied that at any time I could lose my job if the company shuts down? No.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 7, 2004 11:22:58 PM newThose most likely to say they were very satisfied were white, married, college-educated, homeowners and Republicans.
So, I guess that doesn't include the woman who is Black, divorced, with a high school diploma, rents an apartment on the wrong side of town, and a Democrat?
To ignore such people is to put a blinder over your eyes.
There is a woman named Mary Ann Mahafey who is white and a city council member, and has been elected for several terms (about 10 years) to her position in the city council. The way she continually gets elected is that she CARES ABOUT EVERYONE. The city is, Detroit with a population of 80 percent Black continually elects her.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on September 8, 2004 12:33:56 AM new
To me, I think this issue has a lot to do with where different peoples value systems are.
If a child is raised to consider school an important part of their life...not just a babysitting service...encouraged to go to school, encouraged to do well, and the assumption is 'of course you're going to college'...then that sets a different standard in the child's life than one where the value system may be very much lacking. ie: Parents who don't even care whether their child is attending classes, let alone being involved...helping/encouraging the child along.
Having two parents raising a child is also a major benefit to a childs outlook on school and their future.
I'm surprise that so many state they're happy in their jobs though. It's absolutely wonderful when anyone can choose a career, earn a living, doing something they truly enjoy doing.
posted on September 8, 2004 12:51:59 AM new
Linda,
I do agree with you on the fact it's important that the child be encouraged to do well. However, there are many children that are born into families, whether it be one or two parents that are not encouraged. The parents don't seem to understand the importance of education or prompting their children to do well. This of course is not the child's fault. There is nobody that has been able to choose their parents. That includes me and you.
These are the kids that fall through the cracks at no fault of their own. These are the ones that society has to help better themselves.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
Prevent Bigotry through Education.