This article originally published in 2010 references an earlier report.

A report from the Conference Board shows that job satisfaction is at its lowest level since 1987. From a high of 61% in 1987 to the present low of 45% in 2009, few workers are generally satisfied with their employment. One area of concern is that this decline in job satisfaction is consistent for all age and income groups.

For workers under 25, the decline is the steepest (in comparison to workers in this age group during the 1980’s and 1990’s). Some of this is due to the many workplace changes that have occurred with the severe recession we are facing including fewer opportunities for younger workers and changing retirement plans for older workers.

For organizational managers and leaders, this low job satisfaction is a warning that employee retention will be a challenge when the economy improves. Firms that pay attention to effective management practices such as motivation, training, and employee development will have a greater opportunity of reducing organizational turnover and retaining their human capital.