Workers ‘feel much safer in their jobs'

Most workers in New Zealand are confident their jobs are secure - a vast improvement on 13 years ago, when half believed they would be unemployed within a year.

A Roy Morgan Research survey found 85 per cent of workers believe their jobs are safe, whereas in 1991 only 54 per cent felt sure they would keep their jobs for another year.

This year's poll found only 13 per cent of the 974 workers thought there was an impending chance of unemployment, compared with 41 per cent 14 years ago.

Last year, 84 per cent of those surveyed were confident of keeping their jobs, and 12 per cent said they might become unemployed.

Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said he believed the change could be attributed to the more "inclusive" workplace environment in New Zealand.

"There have been gradual improvements for everyone over the past five years in employment law and holiday entitlements," he said.

"Increasing minimum wage levels, paid parental leave, better health and safety laws and better holiday leave entitlements have improved the outlook.

"We noticed a difference when the Employment Relations Act came into effect in 2000.

The poll also asked about national unemployment levels and found 71 per cent of working New Zealanders expected rates would fall or stay the same next year - a 6 per cent increase.

In 1991, 88 per cent believed unemployment would increase.

Across the Tasman, 64 per cent of Australian workers said unemployment rates would fall or stay the same in 2005.

Thirteen years ago, 65 per cent said it would increase.

Those polled were also asked how quickly they thought they would find work if they did lose their jobs, and 69 per cent said they would do so "fairly quickly" and 24 per cent said it "might take longer".

The answers were different to those 13 years ago, when 30 per cent said they would find a job quickly.

In December 1991, the unemployment rate was 10.6 per cent. Last month, it was 3.8 per cent.

Job confidence

2004: 85 per cent of working New Zealanders think their job is safe for the next year.

1991: 54 per cent were confident of keeping their jobs.

2004: 71 per cent expect unemployment levels to fall or stay the same.