The Department of Management (MGT) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) announced the findings of the “Employees’ Employment Confidence, Job Satisfaction and Industrial Relations Survey 2006” on 2 May. The findings show that Hong Kong people think that the overall job market has improved. However, even though they think finding jobs is easier this year, people in Hong Kong still lack the confidence to find a better job.

The survey was conducted in March and April 2006. A total of 925 Hong Kong citizens in full-time employment and aged 18 or above were interviewed by phone. They were asked to express their views on employment confidence, job satisfaction and industrial relations.

The survey, an example of CityU’s applied research efforts, aims at understanding the levels of satisfaction Hong Kong employees feel towards different aspects of their jobs and how confident they feel about their jobs.

“The findings are useful for employers to understand their employees’ attitudes towards their jobs and to find ways to increase their employees’ job satisfaction and competitiveness. This can ultimately help improve industrial relations,” said Professor Leung Kwok, Head of MGT.

The Employees Confidence Index (ECI) has a scale of 0 to 10 representing ascending levels of confidence in terms of “Well-Being”, “Job Security”, and “Job Prospects” and perceptions of the overall job market. Compared with ECI 2005 (average score 3.87), respondents think the overall job market has improved (average score 5.78), i.e. people think finding jobs is easier this year compared to last year.

Despite the improving job market, employment confidence is only moderate (an ECI mean of 5.72). “Well-Being” and “Job Security” are higher than last year, but there is no obvious improvement in “Job Prospects”. This implies people lack the confidence to find a better job.

Older and less educated employees tend to be more pessimistic. Respondents aged 40 or above and below 30 score 5.40 and 6.01, respectively; and respondents with primary and secondary levels of education score 5.46, lower that those with tertiary or above education (6.12). People working in restaurants and hotels (average score 5.19), construction (average score 5.21) and manufacturing (average score 5.49) have lower levels of employment confidence.

A scale of 1 to 7 was used to measure “Well being” and job satisfaction, including salary, fringe benefits and working hours, and other aspects. The findings show that employees are satisfied most with their colleagues (5.51) and superiors (4.89), but dissatisfied most with promotion (3.41) and training (3.44).

Industrial relations were measured on a scale of 1 to 5. A higher score represents a relatively positive view. Results show that the industrial relations level of Hong Kong employees is moderate, with a mean of 3.38.