According to a survey by Careerbuilder.com, 1 in 5 U.S. technology workers are dissastisfied about their jobs and 1/3 of them intend to find a new job in 2006.
While this seems a staggering number, I am curious to see if there is comparative data from other fields. When you turn the numbers around it says that 4 in 5 U.S. technology workers are satisfied with their jobs and 2/3 of them plan to stay right where they are in 2006. That actually sounds pretty good to me.
The survey goes on to report unmanageable workloads, low pay, and a lack of effective leadership as the primary causes of employees' displeasure with their current situation.
There is not much that can be done about ineffective leadership, except to always do your personal best, others, who may be in a position to help you in the future, will notice your struggles against the tide.
I won't even touch the low pay. Most companies have HR policies designed to prevent rewarding employees who go above and beyond. I feel that the thinking behind this is that if everyone worked hard and received a good bonus or an excellent raise, they would start telling others. The others would then work hard, making good bonuses and receiving excellent raises. The company would do more work, make more sales, grow exponentially, and HR would have more people it had to deal with, therefore they limit the company. (Please, HR People, don't email me about this, it is a silent conspiracy concocted far above your level many, many years ago. You can't see it, it isn't written anywhere, but if you start looking at the compensation plans in many large and long-established companies, you can't help but draw this conclusion).
As for workload management, I would recommend getting a copy of David Allen's "Getting Things Done - The Art of Stressfree Productivity" and "Ready for Anything". I have just started reading and already also recommend "Take Back Your Life!: Using Microsoft Outlook to Get Organized and Stay Organized" by Sally McGhee. These books will help you to reign in your inbox, declutter your world, manage your projects and make sure all your open loops get closed. I have had a significant increase in my productivity since adapting their suggestions.
If you are a part of 33% determined to leave this year, please investigate carefully the opportunity you are leaving for before you leave. The grass is not always greener. A former employee of mine left my company for a job that paid him only $1.50 more an hour. The company he went to is notorious for never extending contracts past the sixth month anniversary date. Even though several people told him this, he went for the short term goal of $60.00 more per week before taxes instead of steady regular employment. He recently contacted me for a reference because the company didn't extend him, even though he was certain he would be the exception to their rule.
If you are leaving good luck! I am always hiring good people and maybe I will run into you!
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