Londoners Not ‘Battling’ Recession

June 25, 2009 - PRLog -- Londoners Not ‘Battling’ Recession

** 83% Believe Redundancy Will Become Reality in 2009 **
** 69% Not Working Any Harder **
** 52% Show Disconnected With Economic Fact **
** Women Twice as Likely to go Extra Mile **

London: independent research commissioned by consumer PR consultancy FIRE has revealed that Londoners aren’t working any harder despite the global economic downturn. The company surveyed over 1,000 Londoners in face-to-face interviews during June. Two thirds of respondents (69%) claimed not to be working any harder, or longer hours, to solidify their current employment status. However, the majority (83%) said they now feared redundancy by the end of this year.

The findings show that over half (52%) of Londoners claim to have lost touch with how the recession is being reported in the media. Furthermore, nearly three quarters of respondents said they find news on the subject confusing (73%). These results indicate an overall disconnect with the economic facts of the downturn.

The situation is also widening the gender gap in the capital. When asked if they were happy to put in extra hours at work to secure their employment - for no extra reward - London ladies came out on top. Twice as many of the capital’s women (22%) stated that they would go the extra mile to secure their jobs compared with their male co-workers (9%).

Stu Campbell, Managing Director at FIRE said: “Our findings show that Londoners have become complacent and there’s a noticeable disconnect between the concepts of hard work and security of employment.  This is amplified by the conflicting information reported in the press. The financial institutions contradict each other - as do the politicians  – so people don’t know who or what to believe anymore.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Sample breakdown: face-to-face survey of 1,105 respondents conducted in central London, June 2009. Qualifying questions: Do you live within the M25? Are you in full time employment? (Yes required to both). The percentages below relate to cumulative totals. Gender split: 52% Male (575x respondents) and 48% Female (530x respondents).

Q1. Are you presently working harder and longer hours due to the current economic climate?
40% Yes (17% Male v 23% Female) v 60% No (35% Male v 25% Female)

Q2. Are you willing to put in more time & effort at work - for no extra pay - to avoid redundancy?
31% Yes (9% Male v 22% Female) v 69% No (43% Male v 26% Female)

Q3. Do you believe that you may experience redundancy within the next six months?
83% Yes (40% Male v 43% Female) v 17% No (12% Male v 5% Female)

Q4. Do you feel that you are up-to-date with news reporting on the current economic situation?
48% Yes (23% Male v 25% Female) v 52% No (29% Male v 23% Female)

Q5. Do you find media reporting of the recession confusing?
73% Yes (35% Male v 38% Female) v 27% No (17% Male v 10% Female)


Further information

Stu Campbell, FIRE
E: stu@fire-pr.com
M: 07545 191 582
D: 020 8433 6688