In spite of the overwhelmingly positive response to questions about their workplace, working Americans dream about starting their own business.
Thirty-two percent of the adult working population -- or almost 40 million people -- have never owned their own business but dream of starting one. And 19% of those dreamers -- almost 9% of the adult working population, or almost 10 million people -- are currently in the process of starting their own business.
Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed had once owned their own business, and 59% of them -- representing 17% of the adult working population, or just over 20 million people -- still own that business.
THE INC./GALLUP SURVEY: AMERICANS AT WORK
1. On a 5-point scale, where 1 is extremely dissatisfied and 5 is extremely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your place of employment?
5 36%
4 35%
3 20%
2 5%
1 4%
2. At work, do you have the opportunity every day to do what you do best?
Yes 82%
No 18%
3. Does your supervisor or someone at work seem to care about you as a person?
Yes 84%
No 12%
No response 4%
4. Do you know what is expected of you at work?
Yes 96%
No 3%
No response 1%
5. In the past seven days, have you received recognition or praise for good work?
Yes 62%
No 36%
No response 2%
6. At work, do your opinions seem to count?
Yes 84%
No 15%
No response 1%
7. Is there someone at work who encourages your development?
Yes 72%
No 26%
No response 2%
8. In the past six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?
Yes 60%
No 39%
No response 1%
9. This past year, have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
Yes 84%
No 15%
No response 1%
10. Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work?
Yes 87%
No 11%
No response 2%
11. Does the mission of your employer make you feel that your job is important?
Yes 87%
No 12%
No response 1%
12. Do you have the materials and equipment you need to do your work right?
Yes 86%
No 14%
13. Do you have a best friend at work?
Yes 57%
No 42%
No response 1%
14. In terms of your potential, about what percentage of your ability do you use in your work?
Average 78%
15. Do you believe you will continue with your current company until you retire?
Yes 56%
No 38%
No response 6%
16. From your most objective viewpoint, have you been compensated fairly this past year?
Yes 69%
No 30%
No response 1%
17. Are you more secure or less secure in your job than you were a year ago?
More secure 63%
Less secure 20%
About the same 17%
18. Do you want to be a leader in your company someday?
Yes 41%
No 57%
No response 2%
19. (If yes to 18) Do you think you will become a leader in your company someday?
Yes 74%
No 20%
No response 6%
20. Is your company family friendly?
Yes 80%
No 17%
No response 3%
21. Does your management do what is necessary to make your company a great place to work?
Yes 70%
No 27%
No response 3%
22. Is your company a good workplace for all of the people, or for only the privileged few?
All people 74%
Privileged
few 23%
No response 3%
23. In the past month, have you had three or more days when the stress of work caused you to behave badly with your family?
Yes 23%
No 75%
No response 2%
24. Are you currently looking for a different job?
Yes 21%
No 79%
25. In the past week, have you been worried that you might lose your job?
Yes 9%
No 90%
No response 1%
26. Do members of your family worry about your losing your job in the next year?
Yes 8%
No 91%
No response 1%
27. In the past year, have any of your friends lost jobs because of downsizing?
Yes 39%
No 60%
No response 1%
28. Do you worry that your job may become obsolete because of advances in technology?
Yes 11%
No 88%
No response 1%
29. At work, has your boss ever asked you to do something unethical or dishonest?
Yes 8%
No 91%
No response 1%
30. Have you ever owned your own business?
Yes 28%
No 72%
31. (If yes to 30) Do you still own that business?
Yes 59%
No 41%
32. (If no to 30 or 31) Do you dream of starting your own business?
Yes 44%
No 55%
No response 1%
33. (If yes to 32) Are you currently in the process of starting your own business?
Yes 19%
No 80%
No response 1%
34. (If no to 33) Do you plan to start a new business in the next two years?
Yes 27%
No 69%
No response 4%
How the Inc./Gallup survey was conducted In November 1995 the Gallup Organization conducted a nationwide employee survey for Inc. magazine. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which full-time employees agree with statements regarding their workplace experiences. All participants were required to be at least 18 years old and employed at least 30 hours a week. With the survey methods used and a sample of 803 respondents, the resulting maximum expected error range, at a 95% confidence level, is plus or minus 3.5%.
