December 15, 2005 • ISSUE 46 / VOLUME 1

Today's workforce exploring options

University of Phoenix poll reveals change

University of Phoenix programs provide the tools necessary for professional advancement.

Take a close look at the workers in the cubicles on either side of you. Chances are, they may not be around your company for much longer.

According to a nation-wide online survey of working adults by University of Phoenix, more than two-thirds (67 percent) are looking for a job on some level, even though the majority (76 percent) of them are satisfied at their current place of employment.

In addition to sending out resumes and interviewing with companies, survey respondents are taking calls from recruiters, surfing job boards and pursuing new skills or an education to prepare for a job move.

The university polled nearly 2,500 working professionals in diverse industries to determine the benefits needed to keep them happy, motivated and loyal in a changing workplace. The Zoomerang survey was conducted in June and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percent.

"It's not surprising that workers are exploring their options, given that jobs are more plentiful," said Robert Levit, workforce development specialist at University of Phoenix. "They have been sitting idle just waiting for the economy to improve."

While 58 percent of the respondents cited better pay as the primary reason for jumping ship, one-third would leave for more interesting or rewarding work, and 26 percent would resign for positions of greater responsibility.

Nearly half (47 percent) reported no opportunities for advancement at their current companies.

"Employers need to take note," Levit said. "Today's workers, especially the younger generations, are increasingly mobile, and helping them climb the corporate ladder is a key factor in retaining them."

He suggests that managers establish a clear career path for their staff and also provide the tools to help them achieve their career goals.

One such tool is education, which most employees – 64 percent – consider essential to keeping them happy on the job.

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This finding is even more evident among Generation X – those between the ages of 26-39 – (70 percent) and Generation Y, who are in the 18-25 age range (77 percent).

Respondents acknowledged that their employers have education and training programs in place, but that they don't encourage employees to take advantage of them. For instance, 42 percent said their companies offer tuition reimbursement for those seeking college degrees, along with mentoring, professional development, on-the-job training and other assistance.

However, only 29 percent said their companies actively promote these benefits to their workforce.

The research uncovered other insights about today's workers.

Loyal... for now

• Almost half (49 percent) of survey participants have been working for the same employer for five or more years, and more than one-quarter (29 percent) have stayed with their company for 10 years or more.
• However, at least one-third (34 percent) of the respondents plan to change employers within the next three years. These statistics are even higher among Gen X and Y workers – 45 and 55 percent, respectively.
• Institutional corrections

The best and worst parts of the job

• Employees said the best parts of their current job are co-workers and good management (26 percent), followed by flexibility/hours (14 percent), job satisfaction (10 percent) and benefits/vacation (9 percent).
• Stress and low pay tied as the worst parts of the job, each reported by 16 percent of the respondents. These were followed by upper management and co-workers.

Who's responsible?

• Virtually all (97 percent) employees take all or some of the responsibility for their happiness on the job, though Gen Y workers claim slightly less responsibility for their job satisfaction (92 percent).
• To improve their job satisfaction, two-thirds of employees ask for more responsibility, resources and work that increase their visibility to management.

University of Phoenix, which has served working adults for nearly 30 years, has made its mission to remove barriers to education for busy adults by providing accessible scheduling (evenings, weekends and online through the Internet) and rigorous degree programs centered on professional goals. The university is the largest private accredited university in North America, and its Hawaii Campus has been offering degree programs in the Islands since 1993. Classes are offered in Honolulu, Kaneohe, Kapolei, and Mililani. The university's focus on small interactive classes, highly personalized teaching and comprehensive academic accountability systems has won praise and recognition by noteworthy academic and business leaders. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

For more information, call 808-536-2686 or log on: www.phoenix.edu/hawaii.