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9/26/04
OUTLOOK American workers are a lot more optimistic these days than they were in the past. Accountemps, the temporary placement agency for accountants, bookkeepers, and other financial professionals, reports that 59 percent of 573 working adults said they were optimistic about the potential for economic growth during the next year. In addition, 57 percent said they were hopeful about their own career prospects. Eleven percent were not hopeful. In all, 19 percent said they were very optimistic and 40 percent were somewhat optimistic. Twenty-nine percent said they were not very optimistic, 11 percent were not optimistic at all, and 1 percent were not sure. The same respondents were also asked to describe how optimistic they felt about their careers or jobs. Of those polled, 31 percent were significantly more optimistic than they were in the past and 26 percent said they were somewhat more optimistic. Thirty-one percent said they were neither more nor less optimistic than they were in the past. Eight percent were somewhat less optimistic, 3 percent were much less optimistic, and 1 percent did not know. ''More and more workers see the glass as half full and are optimistic the economy will continue to recover,'' said Max Messmer, the chairman of Accountemps. The survey revealed that individuals earning $75,000 a year or more are the most confident about the economy and job growth. In addition, male respondents are more confident and upbeat about the future than women. Sixty-four percent of the men felt optimistic, compared to 53 percent of the women. In addition, younger workers 18 to 34 years of age reported feeling more optimistic than older workers One reason for some of the optimism could be a slight uptick in the hiring of financial professionals, particularly in New England and in the construction and insurance sectors. Although most financial professionals and accountants won't see huge changes in hiring in the fourth quarter, there will be hiring in key sectors, according to Robert Half International, the parent company of Accountemps. Those findings stem from a private survey of 1,400 chief financial officers in the United States. The survey, conducted by an independent firm retained by the executive and professional staffing company, revealed that although 89 percent of the finance chiefs polled anticipate no changes in hiring some are looking to increase their payrolls. Eight percent said they will add staff. Of those who plan to hire, 58 percent said their companies are expanding and will need the additional help, up from 59 percent in the third quarter. Additionally, 15 percent said current workers are battling larger workloads and more responsibility, resulting in the need for permanent and temporary staffing. Financial executives in New England appeared to be a little more optimistic about increasing payrolls in the next quarter, Robert Half said. In all, 14 percent of the finance chiefs in the region said they would add more staff. Just 3 percent expect some reductions, resulting in a net increase of 11 percent. Messmer attributed those hiring plans to demand from two sectors, construction and insurance. He said that new rules stemming from Sarbanes-Oxley compliance initiatives are also driving some of the demand for internal auditors and increasing accounting workloads, prompting some companies to seek people to do accounts payable and receivable and payroll. When researchers looked at hiring throughout the nation, they found that chief financial officers in construction expect the most increased hiring of financial professionals. In all, 14 percent said they will boost hiring in the fourth quarter. None were expected to cut staff. Nationwide, demand for accounting professionals also will be strong among manufacturing companies and in the insurance, finance, and real estate industries. --DIANE E. LEWIS
SURVEY To many workers, the most important quality a manager can have is the ability to stand up for staff members when it is warranted. ''The best employees want someone who will be their advocate,'' said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam, the employment placement agency. In a recent OfficeTeam poll of 571 workers, the majority -- 28 percent -- said the most effective bosses stand up for their workers in a pinch. Domeyer said managers who promote their employees' point of views, limit office politics and gossip, and routinely show they respect and value team members are more likely to succeed because they tend to create loyalty among staff and a collegial and productive atmosphere that encourages workers to develop or enhance their skills. ''When employees are not engaged or motivated, they are more prone to errors and they are more likely to spend time thinking about other things such as how to find the next job,'' said Todd Raphael, online editor of Workforce Magazine in Irvine, Calif. The magazine's readers are primarily human resource executives. Raphael said consumers can tell when a company's managers treat workers well because the staff is more interested in serving customers. They are engaged. A recent report by Ajilon Finance, the specialty staffing and recruiting company, seems to support Raphael's claims. Ajilon noted that people who stay in the same job for a significant amount of time tend to enjoy their work and get along with those with whom they work. Ajilon also said workers who feel respected and productive are far less likely to job hop. The report also noted that employers who want to keep good workers should do all they can to invest in them by using rewards and incentives such as training opportunities to encourage good performance and loyalty. OfficeTeam's Domeyer agreed. ''Letting certain employees or situations fall under the radar can fuel speculation of favoritism,'' she said. ''Also, one-on-one impromptu discussions with team members can give you an indication of any political issues brewing before they escalate.'' --DIANE E. LEWIS
WORKPLACE US workers aren't slackers. When Gallup, the New York polling firm, asked 580 employed American adults whether they would continue to work if they won $10 million in the lottery, 55 percent said they wouldn't stop working. Just 44 percent said they would take the money and run. Gallup researchers surmised that age and job satisfaction might be key factors in the decision to continue work even after such a big financial windfall. In all, six of every 10 respondents under 50 said they would remain in the workplace compared with 45 percent of those 50 or older. In addition, 66 percent of those who reported being completely satisfied with their current jobs also said they would continue to work compared with 44 percent who described themselves as only somewhat satisfied or dissatisfied. --DIANE E. LEWIS
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