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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