COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer comes to
an end and the Labor Day holiday
approaches, there is no question that our nation's focus on the
American workforce will continue to take center stage. Even with
the current national unemployment rate hovering at just over nine
percent, more than one-third (35 percent) of U.S. adults reported
that the spirit of the U.S. workforce is broken, according to a new
survey released today by Aflac, the No. 1 provider of supplemental
and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the
United States.
More than three quarters (69 percent) of employed adults
reported that their paycheck is the majority of the reason they
work. Also, 77 percent of adults employed full/part time, and not
currently self-employed, stated they would leave their current
position to become an independent entrepreneur. Ability to set
one's own hours, spend more time with friends and family, not have
to deal with office politics, and/or not have to endure a daily
commute, are just some of the many reasons they would be motivated
to make a career change to become an independent entrepreneur.
Driven by increasing market demand for voluntary insurance today
and in the future, Aflac is bolstering its nationwide independent
sales agent network* in 580 markets, offering U.S. workers the
opportunity to be their own boss, make their own schedule, and live
what many would call the "American Dream."
"This survey reaffirms that many Americans lack fulfillment and
passion for their jobs, and struggle with work/life balance," said
Tom Giddens, senior vice president,
director of U.S. Sales at Aflac. "With more than 72,000
entrepreneurs comprising our sales force, our organization believes
strongly in workers' pursuit of a career that not only supports
their livelihood but that also brings joy and satisfaction."
The online survey was conducted on Aflac's behalf by Harris
Interactive in August 2011, among
2,220 U.S. adults ages 18+, of whom 1,272 were employed, and is
part of the 2011 Aflac WorkForces Report.
To learn more about the survey, visit AflacWorkForcesReport.com,
or to apply for an opportunity at Aflac, visit
joinaflac.com.
About the Aflac WorkForces Report
The Aflac WorkForces Report is an annual study analyzing the
forces impacting the trends, attitudes and use of employee
benefits. Surveying both American workers and business
decision-makers, the Aflac WorkForces Report reconciles the
perceptions and realities of benefits in the workplace. The
insights aim to help businesses make informed decisions about
benefits to better protect employees and their bottom line.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on
behalf of Aflac from August 11–15, 2011, among 2,220 adults ages 18
and older, of whom 1,272 were employed. This online survey is not
based on a probability sample and, therefore, no estimate of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey
methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Aflac
Media Relations at mediarelations@aflac.com or call
706-243-5543.
About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits
fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped
provide a safety net and have given policyholders the opportunity
to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one
provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance
company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac
insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million
people worldwide. For five consecutive years, Aflac has been
recognized by Ethisphere Magazine as one of the
World's Most Ethical Companies and by Forbes magazine as one
of America's Best-Managed Companies in the Insurance category. In
2011, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100
Best Companies to Work For in America for the 13th consecutive
year. Also, Fortune magazine has included Aflac on its list
of Most Admired Companies 10 times. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune
500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or
aflacenespanol.com.
*Aflac agents are independent agents and are not employees of
Aflac.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100423/CL92305LOGO
)
Media Contact:
Susan Bringas
PainePR
213.996.3768
susan.bringas@painepr.com
SOURCE Aflac