TUC survey examines attitudes and aspirations of workers

In September 2008, the Trades Union Congress published the findings of a survey examining the attitudes of UK workers towards their jobs, and what they want employers, trade unions and the government to do to improve them. While the research finds that most workers are generally satisfied with their jobs, it also shows that many people report problems relating to pay, workloads, working hours, training and career progression.

Between July and August 2008, the YouGov research company, on behalf of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), conducted an online poll of a representative sample of 2,857 workers. The poll sought to examine workers’ attitudes towards their jobs and employers, along with the types of problems they face at work, and what they want from employers, trade unions and the government. The TUC describes the survey findings – published in September 2008 in a report entitled What do workers want? (647Kb PDF) – as setting an ‘agenda for the workplace from the workplace’.

Workers’ views on their jobs

Of the survey respondents, 60% agreed that they were satisfied with their present job, while 24% disagreed. However, other measures of job satisfaction received a somewhat less positive response. When the respondents were asked:

• if they felt committed to the organisation in which they work, 57% agreed and 27% disagreed;

• if they would speak highly about their organisation as an employer to people outside, 51% agreed and 24% disagreed;

• if they felt that the organisation they work for deserves their loyalty, 46% agreed and 27% disagreed;

• if they felt fully engaged by the organisation for which they work, 43% agreed and 30% disagreed.

The respondents were asked about the main attributes they look for in a job. The most important qualities were fair pay (regarded as important by 98% of the respondents), followed by: working with ‘a great group of people’ (90%); the chance to learn new skills (87%); having a say in how work is organised (82%); flexible working patterns (81%); and opportunities for promotion and career advancement (73%).

The respondents were also asked if these wishes were met in practice. The largest gaps between workers’ aspirations and the workplace reality were found with regard to promotion opportunities, fair pay and the chance to learn new skills.

Problems at work

When asked about problems faced at work, the top issues identified by the respondents fell into three main groups:

• pay – 42% of the respondents reported that their pay has not kept up with the cost of living, while 26% complained that their workplace has unfair pay structures and 31% that they do not get the same pay as people doing similar jobs for other organisations;

• workloads, stress and working hours – 46% of the respondents complained of an increased workload, 39% of increased stress levels and 23% of longer working hours;

• training and progression – 30% criticised the poor promotion prospects in their job, while 27% cited a lack of training.

Furthermore, 14% of the respondents reported that they had experienced bullying at work.

Views on unions, employers and government

With regard to the respondents’ views on trade unions, 60% agreed that ‘unions provide vital protection for many groups of workers’, with just 12% disagreeing with this statement. Only 21% agreed that ‘unions are no longer relevant in today’s world’ and 26% that ‘unions hold back companies in today’s competitive world’.

The main issue that the respondents wanted trade unions to take up with the government was ensuring better protection for low-paid workers facing exploitation from the worst employers. This request was followed by: compulsory employer contributions to pensions; more rights and opportunities for workers to learn new skills; action to close the gender pay gap; more flexible working; and an end to child poverty.

The leading topics that the respondents wanted trade unions to take up with employers were the ‘traditional’ trade union issues of pay, pensions and safety. These were followed by workload and stress, access to training and equal opportunities issues.

TUC conclusions

According to the TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, who was quoted in the magazine Personnel Today, the survey shows that UK workplaces can be divided into three basic types. At the lower end, about a fifth of workers have a ‘grim time’ at work: ‘If not actually exploited, then they have high-pressure but dull jobs that give no chance to progress’, Mr Barber added. At the top end, a larger group of workers have ‘great jobs that involve them and use their full potential’. However, ‘in the middle, the great mass have jobs that are basically okay, but do not really get the best out of people and are, therefore, not as fulfilling or as productive as they could be’.

The TUC also concludes from the survey findings that workers – whether or not they are trade union members – believe that unions provide vital protection for people at work. Moreover, they want unions to take up issues with employers and the government that are very much in line with current trade union campaigning priorities.

Mark Carley, SPIRE Associates/IRRU, University of Warwick