Workers ‘Glum’ About ’08 Economy

Unhappy New Year: U.S. workers’ have a “glum” outlook for the 2008 economy, according to a new survey by Hudson. More than one in five workers, or 21 percent, believe economic conditions will worsen, compared with 15 percent who felt that way a year ago. That is influencing more people to remain at their jobs longer, as opposed to looking for work in the coming year. About 30 percent say it is “not at all likely” that they will pursue other job opportunities in 2008, down slightly from the 26 percent who shared that view heading into 2007. Nearly half (46 percent) of the 2,000 U.S. full-time workers surveyed also “feel their organizations’ leaders are expecting the economy to get worse next year,” with only 22 percent of leaders forecasting rosier conditions.