Why Americans hate their jobs

A majority of Americans now say they're unhappy at work. Is this a crisis—or have we become a nation of whiners?

A growing number of Americans are dissatisfied with their work.
(Image credit: Corbis)

More and more Americans are miserable in their jobs. The Conference Board research group found that only 45 percent of people are satisfied at work, the lowest percentage since the survey started in 1987 (when the figure was 61 percent). The Conference Board's Linda Barrington says the results are "not about the business cycle or one grumpy generation," but rather point to "something troubling about work" in this country. What does it mean that most Americans now hate their jobs?

Pain can equal gain: Economists may be concerned about declining "innovation and productivity," says Douglas MacIntyre at 24/7 Wall Street, but the stats don't back it up. Worker productivity rose 8.1 percent in the third quarter of last year, "the strongest increase since 2003." In fact, output may be strengthened by unhappiness in the workplace. After all, "the sight of the gallows focuses the mind."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us