At work, and loving it - survey

26 October 2004

Despite the fact we are working harder than ever, we have never been happier in our jobs, according to a Monash University survey.

The study found the work satisfaction has risen significantly in the past few years, despite increased workplace pressure, said Professor Julian Teicher, head, of the Department of Management, and a researcher with the university's newly formed Australian Centre for Research in Employment and Work (ACREW).

The survey showed Australian workers had positive attitudes to their jobs, with 75 per cent reporting high levels of trust in their employer, 84.3 per cent reporting job satisfaction, 73.5 per cent reporting job security and 82.4 per cent expressing loyalty to their employer.

Most employees -- 80.1 per cent -- also reported they were encouraged to develop their skills, and 78.7 per cent said their managers demonstrated an understanding of balancing work-family issues.

The satisfaction levels were significantly higher than those reported in the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey (AWIRS) in 1995 in which only 37 per cent of employees agreed management could be trusted, and only 46 per cent were satisfied with the way management treated them and others at the workplace.

"The findings may surprise some commentators, particularly as we are often told that we are under more pressure than ever, and expected to perform miracles by uncaring management," said Professor Teicher at the official launch of ACREW on Wednesday 27 October at Federation Square, Melbourne.

The results were obtained through ACREW's Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey.

ACREW was established in recognition of the significance of employment and work issues; it will promote responsive and socially responsible research and educational programs.

With more than 40 academic staff, it is one of the largest Australian concentrations of researchers in the field of work and employment.

The centre's portfolio spans the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and the broad disciplines of industrial and employee relations, human resource management and organisational behaviour.

For further information call Ms Querida Seip, Business and Economics faculty, on +61 3 9903 2265 or 0438 009 621; or Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.