Worker confidence in U.S. employers plunges: Survey

Stark differences between men and women about job prospects, pay

The online poll of about 2,300 adults found 33 per cent feel better about their company's outlook over the next six months, the lowest level of optimism since December 2008. That marked a seven-point drop from the second quarter survey, while the number of people saying their company's outlook has worsened moved up slightly to 14 per cent.

The survey found stark differences in opinion between men and women. Thirty-eight per cent of men are upbeat about their employers' prospects, compared with only 28 per cent of women. More men than women also expect pay increases in the coming year, while overall nearly one-half of all workers do not expect to earn more.

"Employee confidence in the job market and compensation levels appears to be at a pause, in much the same way the economy is stuck between growth and contraction right now," said Rusty Rueff, Glassdoor career and workplace expert.

Among the survey's other findings: More than one-third of unemployed people said they are uncertain about being able to find a job at their skill and pay level in the next six months, the highest proportion who said so since the second quarter of 2010.

Among those currently employed, confidence in being rehired is higher, but it drops steadily in correlation with age. Only one-quarter of those older than 55 are confident about finding a comparable job, compared with 47 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds.

The U.S. Labor Department will release September jobs data on Friday. Current forecasts call for a gain of 60,000 non-farm jobs and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 9.1 per cent.

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