More Than Half of Workers Believe Companies Making Right Choices To Get Through Recession
More Than Half of Workers Believe Companies Making Right Choices To Get Through Recession
June 29, 2009 — Though productivity may be suffering, depression may be on the rise and survivor syndrome in full force, more than half of professionals surveyed said they believe their employers are taking the right steps to weather the recession.
The survey by Robert Half International found that 69% of respondents said their companies are taking the appropriate steps to get the company through the recession, 55% said they believe their employers will emerge from the recession stronger than before and 30% said they believe their companies are doing only some things or nothing right.
Workers were asked, “In your opinion, do you believe your company is taking the right steps to weather the recession? Would you say your company is ...?” Their responses:
Doing everything right
21%
Doing most things right
48%
Doing some things right
26%
Not doing anything right
4%
Don’t know/no answer
1%
100%
Workers also were asked, “Do you think your company will emerge from the recession stronger or weaker than it was going into the downturn?” Their responses:
Much stronger
18%
Somewhat stronger
37%
No change
29%
Somewhat weaker
11%
Much weaker
3%
Don’t know/no answer
2%
100%
“Many employers have stepped up communication efforts to help employees understand the challenging circumstances the business faces and the basis for difficult decisions that are made,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Sharing pertinent information can prevent rumors and speculation. Letting employees know how the company plans to persevere and grow also builds confidence. Professionals who feel positive about their firm’s prospects are more apt to stay on board for the long term.”
About the survey
The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 457 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment.
Victoria J Fuehrer, CCP President, CCP, SPHR, MBA Member Since: 9/14/1983 Comments: 19
This article and the results of the short survey demonstrate the importance of how companies use this downtime and the importance of employee communications. Economic turbulence can paralyze the potential of people and companies. This is a rare window of time to build new paradigms and disciplines that can carry over to the up times. Companies should seize this opportunity to double up their future successes rather than double down their current challenges. Economic downturns eventually end. What companies do in the down time determines IF they will have an uptime. Victoria Fuehrer, CCP, SPHR, PORTICO Consulting, LLC