U.S. WORKERS SEEK MORE THAN GOOD WAGES & BENEFITS

What are your feelings?
At NRI we want to know to the factors you judge to be important, whether you're considering a permanent position or a temporary assignment! Please let your Staffing Specialist know the most important factors for your success. We will do what we can to match your needs with our clients' opportunities.

HORSHAM, Penn., January 25, 2000 - A national study released today by Taylor Nelson Sofres Intersearch (TNS Intersearch) reveals that most American workers, with some differences between the sexes, rate having the resources to do their job, a good working relationship with their boss and job security even more important than wages and benefits. The compiled survey from a cross section of 672 American workers in the last days of the 20th century reflects what today's employees judge to be the most important aspects of their employment. Although they consider salaries and benefits important, workers indicate that the five most important aspects are the value-added features of resources to do the job, good working relationships with bosses, job security, up-to-date equipment and interesting and challenging work.

Top 10 Factors
When asked to rate the different aspects of their job on a scale of extremely important to not important at all, more than two thirds (69 percent) said that having the resources available to do their job and a good working relationship with the boss were extremely important. Women felt much stronger (74 percent versus 65 percent) than men on the issue of resources. On relationship with the boss, females (77 percent) felt that issue was more important to them, than men (63 percent). Having up-to-date equipment or the tools to do the job was also rated extremely important by nearly two thirds of respondents (63 percent). More women than men (69 percent of women; 59 percent of men) felt this was extremely important.

Commenting on the study, TNS Intersearch Senior Vice President Howard Barich said: "It should come as no surprise that the nation's workers are focusing more on the added-value factors of employment, given the current scenario of low unemployment and jobs are either secure or new positions are attainable quickly if the need arises. The degree that these things rated higher than salary and benefits adds a new dimension to the employment picture and should be taken to heart by management and human resource professionals."

A little more than two thirds of respondents (68 percent) considered job security, the perennial issue, to be extremely important. Men and women felt nearly the same about job security. Interesting and challenging work, being able to use your initiative, and benefits were all remarkably close in ranking. More than half of all respondents ranked salary and wages as extremely important (57 percent). Having an easy commute to work was less important to men than women. Fifty-four percent of total respondents said it was extremely important, with men at 48% and women at 60%.

Bottom 10 Factors
Women respondents placed more importance on being able to work at home than men (34 percent versus 21 percent). While working at home ranked near the bottom 10 of work attributes rated, it still garnered 27 percent as being extremely important. "It was surprising to see this issue come out so low," said Mr. Barich. "But if you look at the occupations of the respondents - professionals like doctors, lawyers and blue collar workers - the option of working at home is not as feasible." Having flexible work hours was ranked extremely important by 46 percent of respondents. Again, women placed more emphasis on it than men (53 percent versus 40 percent). Women also tend to want more from their jobs than men in terms of training and new skill development (53 percent versus 43 percent), flexible work hours (53 percent versus 40 percent) and regularly scheduled feedback on skills and job performance (45 percent versus 39 percent).

Balancing Private Life and Work
When asked to think about their work situation and answer whether or not they were willing to make sacrifices in private life to be more successful in the professional world, 11 percent of all respondents said they were. Men tend to be more willing than women (14 percent compared to 8 percent) to make private life sacrifices. Fifteen percent of respondents indicated that they were not willing to make sacrifices in private life to further their professional careers. Interestingly, 73 percent of respondents thought they could balance their professional and personal lives successfully. Forty-four percent ranked "having a manageable level of stress and pressure" as extremely important, with women placing more emphasis on it (52 percent) than men (38 percent).

About the Study: For the study, Taylor Nelson Sofres Intersearch, surveyed 672 workers (361 men and 311 women) by telephone during the last week of November. Survey results are available from Howard Barich at 914-684-6100 or by e-mail: howard.barich@intersearch.tnsofres.com.