A study released in December by Randstad delivers new insights on employees’  attitudes about career and job prospects for 2012.

Almost half of workers surveyed, 48 percent, believe their companies will cut benefits in the New Year and 41 percent believe their companies will lay off workers. However, 74 percent of US workers agree that their companies have great futures.

From a TIGERS perspective, this becomes a trust issue for organizations as we move into 2012. The sooner leaders unwind trust entanglements the better if there is a hope to spring forward into a lucrative business recovery.

The Randstad Employee Attachment Index, also reported that almost one quarter (24 percent) of employees are willing to lose their bonuses or work longer hours to keep their current jobs. Overall, Randstad’s Attachment Index remains steady this quarter. The index which measures employee engagement and retention indicates that slightly more employees report enjoying going to work this quarter and slightly more would accept a new job offer in the next six months.

“With the continued ups and downs of the economy, US workers report very mixed expectations for 2012,” says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president and chief employment analyst for RandstadUS, the third largest staffing firm in the country. “We’re seeing about half of the workers surveyed are very positive about their companies and even their current jobs, but the other half are very nervous about maintaining their employment and benefits. Workers are indicating that they are uncertain about the New Year and many are taking precautions such as cutting back on expenses and putting more towards savings just in case.” This is another signal that trust in organizations is falling as employees move to protect their interests.

Randstad’s Attachment Index also indicates a widening of the gap between the most attached and the least attached employees. “Employers need to pay close attention to changes in their employee populations of the very engaged and the least engaged,” says Ruge. “Companies want to successfully engage as many employees as possible to maximize productivity, and they need to particularly focus on those workers who are most engaged and, thus, most valuable. Our research shows that 33 percent of the most highly engaged employees are likely to leave their companies if offered an enticing new job while 30 percent would seriously consider another job offer. This is a serious threat to employers as the economy recovers and as more jobs become available. Companies will need to watch this as we move into 2012.”

More Attachment Index Findings

Employee Predictions for 2012:

• 19 percent feel it is likely they will lose their jobs
• Almost a quarter (24 percent) of workers say it is likely they will get a pay cut
• 76 believe it is unlikely they will receive a promotion
• Nearly half (46 percent) expect the job market to improve in 2012
• 7 percent plan to explore other opportunities as soon as the job market picks up

Career Attitudes:

• 78 percent feel inspired each day to do their best in their jobs
•  36 percent of workers do not feel that their company shares their values
• A majority of employees (69 percent) enjoy going to work every day
• 64 percent believe their efforts at work are recognized and valued

Job Attachment:

• Almost a quarter (24 percent) of highly engaged employees are likely to seek a new job in the next 6 months
• 33 percent of highly engaged workers are likely to accept a new job if offered one in the next 6 months
• 73 percent of employees feel secure in their employment compared with 77 percent last quarter
• Retention and engagement levels for employees remain similar to the first quarter of 2011

Research Methodology

The Randstad Employee Attachment Index is comprised of findings from three waves of research targeting employers and employees. In the first employer wave, a national sample of more than 534 employers was interviewed online in March 2011. In the second wave, 546 employers were interviewed online in June. Participating employers work full-time at a company with at least 50 employers and are involved in hiring decisions.

In the first employee wave, a national sample of 1,010 adults who were employed full-time were interviewed online in March. In the second wave, a national sample of 3,436 full-time employed adults were interviewed online. In the third wave, a national sample of 3,022 full-time employed adults were interviewed online.

Weighting was used to balance demographics and ensure samples reflect theU.S.population of working adults.

Employees and employers were surveyed to compare notable differences in perceptions and attitudes. Two separate waves of research allow for trending and to track changes in perceptions and attitudes over time. Research into employee attitudes and perceptions will be conducted quarterly. Research into employer attitudes and perceptions will be conducted on an annual basis.