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Americans remain loyal employees


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Enron's collapse left staff out of work and out of pocket, but Americans remain loyal employees.

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- They have endured two years of job cuts in a struggling economy, but American workers remain resolutely loyal to their employers.

A survey by U.S. recruitment firm Ajilon has found that a majority of Americans consider dedication to your job to be a positive trait.

More than half thought that people who had stayed in the same job for a long time were loyal staff who must enjoy their work.

By contrast, those who changed their job frequently were considered to have no clear idea of what they wanted to do and probably only motivated by money.

When asked how long a worker should stay in the same job 39 percent believed more than 10 years was an appropriate amount of time, with 24 percent settling for five years.

Just eight percent of respondents believed it was appropriate to leave a job after just 12 months.

For many American workers job loyalty has been the only option in a harsh economic climate influenced by a struggling stock market and corporate scandals such as the collapse of energy giant Enron.

Now Ajilon president Neil Lebovits believes that, while economic uncertainty has cultivated greater loyalty, it is time for companies to reciprocate if they want to retain that support in a recovering job market.

Critical time

"In these uncertain economic times, most people are grateful to be employed and become more loyal to their employers than in growing job markets," said Lebovits.

"It's a critical time for companies to foster the employees they've retained since those are probably their best performers. It is also time for employees to rally around the organization that has kept them gainfully employed.

"Companies can continue to cultivate loyalty among employees even if the dynamics of the job market change.

"I always recommend that my clients show a willingness to invest in their employees with training programs, meaningful rewards and other incentives.

"With the economy showing signs of recovery and more jobs seemingly on the way, employers must create an atmosphere of loyalty and appreciation now."

But, ultimately, when deciding whether to stay or go it seems most workers are influenced by their pay packets.

Well paid workers were the most likely to stay in the job, but the main reason for people to leave their job was for more money elsewhere.

Other reasons why employees stay put were because of benefits such as pensions or medical cover, job security, friendships with co-workers and job familiarity.

Those inclined to quit were likely to do so because of better benefits elsewhere, because of better prospects for career advancement elsewhere, or to enjoy a change of pace with less stress.


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