Study: Most Americans unhappy at work

[xchrom]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57590832/study-most-americans-unhappy-at-work/


Only 30 percent of American employees feel engaged or inspired at their jobs and the vast majority of U.S. workers -- 70 percent -- are not reaching their full potential, a Gallup study concluded.

The 2013 State of the American Workplace Report estimates that widespread disinterest and unhappiness in the office is not only affecting company performance, but is costing the U.S. $450 billion to $550 billion a year.

Through thousands of questionnaires sent to employees, Gallup determined whether America's 100 million full-time workers were "engaged," "not engaged" or "actively disengaged" at their jobs.


Those who were "engaged" said they are passionate about their work and feel a connection to their company -- they are responsible for the most innovation within their organization. Those who were "not engaged" act "checked out"; although they put time and effort into their work, they don't have energy or passion. While 30 percent said they were engaged, about half of Americans (52 percent) fall into the latter category.

[Earth_First]

1. I love my job!

Each day has its own set of challenges, however I honestly enjoy going to work everyday.

[A Little Weird]

9. I envy you

and wish I could say the same!

[MichiganVote]

2. Too much top down bullshit management nowadays

[KansDem]

3. I think I must be "not engaged."

Those who were "not engaged" act "checked out"; although they put time and effort into their work, they don't have energy or passion. While 30 percent said they were engaged, about half of Americans (52 percent) fall into the latter category.

And those who are "actively disengaged" aren't just unhappy -- they act out their unhappiness by undermining what their engaged coworkers accomplish. Gallup found that 18 percent of Americans feel this way about their job.

I know I'm not "actively disengaged" since I don't (consciously) undermine the accomplishments of my "engaged coworkers."

I just don't give a damn.

[MrSlayer]

4. Yeah well, working sucks.

For most people it's something you have to do, not something you want to do. I'd much rather be chilling in a studio drinking, smoking and making music with ocassional trips to amusement parks and beaches than being up now waiting for the subway to go to a job that's hot, dirty and painful.

Of course people are unhappy.

[HiPointDem]

5. wow there's a big surprise.

[KurtNYC]

6. I wonder how this compares to general unhappiness, eg. at home or after work

52% unhappy at work but, per Harris, 67% are unhappy in general.

Two thirds of Americans say they're unhappy - with Hispanics, college grads and the disabled being the most discontented of all, survey says
...
Americans earning under $50,000 in annual salary are less likely to qualify as very happy than in 2011 - down from 33 per cent to 29 per cent among those earning less than $35,000, and from 35 per cent to 32 per cent among those earning between $35,000-$49,999.

Old age is rarely associated with joy or exuberance, but poll results show that those over the age of 50 are more likely to be happy than their younger counterparts.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2334471/Two-thirds-Americans-say-theyre-unhappy--Hispanics-college-grads-disabled-discontented-survey-says.html

[jberryhill]

8. Now there is one horrific sentence....

As one is reading along:

"Two thirds of Americans say they're unhappy - with Hispanics, college grads and the disabled..."

[BeyondGeography]

7. On the scale of what people have endured over the ages

I'm not sure this rates.

[A Little Weird]

10. I'm bothered by this argument

By that logic, no one could ever be unhappy about anything. We should all just STFU and be glad we didn't live through the dark ages? Another variation I often hear is "first world problems" which is a phrase used to shut down discussion of any problem that doesn't have to do with one's immediate survival.

[BeyondGeography]

11. I know it helps me when I'm feeling sorry for myself

And veering into Gloomy Gus territory over bullshit.