I Can't Get No . . . Satisfaction

. . . and neither can most American employees.

Even those fortunate enough to have work when so many are jobless are becoming unhappier at work. Indeed, a new survey by the Conference Board finds only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their jobs and their work.

And, that is important because it is the lowest level recorded in 22 years of measurement. By way of contrast, when the first survey was conducted in 1987, most workers -- 61 percent -- said they were happy in their jobs.

Why? Why has employee satisfaction continued to degrade over the last 20 years?

Some reasons are obvious:

- Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting.

- Incomes have not kept up with inflation.

- The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into take-home pay.

Other reasons are not so obvious but equally, if not more important, to include:

- Bosses that don't listen

- Bosses that don't care

- Bosses that don't share what they know

Do you see the common factor? The boss.

Indeed, only 51 percent of American workers are satisfied with their bosses, down from 55 percent in 2008 and 60 percent two decades ago.

This is something Fritz Aldrine and I hammered on several years ago when we wrote the book, "Why Work Isn't Working Anymore -- Tools To Transform Your Workplace As If People Mattered."

The message remains the same. The answers remain the same.

Happy employees are more productive. Reciprocally, unhappy employees are less productive and 8 of 10 American employees today say they will look for a new job when the economy turns around. How's that for being unhappy?

So, if you didn't read our book, you should. I am making it available soon at www.crediblyconnect.com in PDF format so you can put it on your computer, your laptop, Kindle or I-Phone.

I will announce the e-book availability here.

Here's to a happier 2010 for you and all employees in America.