HR News Update

Study: Bored Employee More Disgruntled than Overworked Employee

Bored employees have more of a negative effect on employers than overworked employees, according to research by Sirota Survey Intelligence.

Employees who report having "too little work" have by far lower job satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and pride in their employers compared with all other workers, according to the research, which is based on a survey of more than 1 million employees. "While overwork raises significant issues for employees and employers, the attitudes of bored employees pose even greater challenges," says Douglas Klein, president of Sirota Survey Intelligence. "Bored employees are less satisfied with their jobs, finding them less challenging and poorer matches to suit their skills. Bored employees are also less proud of their employers, less innovative, and feel less valued compared to all other workers."

The survey found that: 71 percent of employees with "about the right amount of work" feel that their jobs are challenging, compared to just 22 percent of those with "too little work" 74 percent of workers with "about the right amount of work" feel their jobs make good use of their skills and abilities, compared with just 36 percent of those with "too little work" 76 percent of workers with "about the right amount of work" are proud of where they work, compared to just 51 percent of those with "too little work"

The survey also found that there are more employees who report feeling overworked (22 percent) than those who say they are bored (14 percent). Employees' perceptions of being overworked spike during their second through fifth years with an employer. 27 percent of employees with two to five years experience with an employer report being overworked.

"Employees who complain about being overworked also feel they are not receiving adequate support from co-workers. In addition, they contend that the quality of their work suffers, they experience greater stress and tension, and feel they have sacrificed their personal lives for their jobs," said Klein.

 






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