The Conference Board by TNS research group recently released its latest survey on job satisfaction. Unsurprisingly, only 45%, a record low, are satisfied with their work. As compared to its first survey in 1987, where 61% indicated that they were happy in their job, job dissatisfaction continues to grow at an accelerating pace. While pent up demand for "movin' on" is a great harbinger for our industry, it may present particular retention problems for your company, as the economy continues to heat up.

An interesting job, job security, co-worker compatibility, boss satisfaction, and an acceptable commute were all indicators of "happiness" that have steadily declined over the past two decades. The highest level of dissatisfaction, almost two-thirds, was reported by the under-25 age group. Quick to rebound, however, the 25 to 34 year old group was the most satisfied. Maybe it is mom's home cooking, upon a return to an empty nest that does the trick?

Economists' argue that if this trend is not reversed, it could stifle innovation, and hurt America's competitiveness and productivity. I would argue that a 25% decline in worker satisfaction over 20 years has already done a sufficient level of harm to our ability to conquer a "flat" world, and is not likely to be remedied any time soon. While an improved economy will most certainly aid mobility for many, it will not alter the nature of their jobs.

The migration from a manufacturing to a service economy demands that workers replace their capabilities to build with attitudes to please. Rather than manning an assembly line, it's a phone line. Instead of building furniture, it's establishing rapport. The ability to wield a power drill is replaced by the charm to articulate 'The Power of Positive'.

The guy in the machine shop that fabricated the part that failed to produce a spark when you fired up the grill for an Independence Day barbecue doesn't get to listen to the ticked off customer at Home Depot demand a refund for his still raw pork butt. Hooked up to his iPod, he gets to wheel through his favorites, oblivious to the festivities his performance has irreparably damaged. But, his numbers diminish.

It's the ever increasing number of cashiers, and customer service representatives, and greeters, and baristas that smile, tell the customer that they're always right, that fill out the job satisfaction questionnaire, and vent. It's not really that they're commuting any longer or that their bosses are too condescending or that their incomes haven't kept up with inflation. It just may be that it's more fun and satisfying to build sh*t than take sh*t!