According to a report from Ceridian, recession is not far from employees' minds, with more than three quarters (78%) of workers believing that it will last for the next two years and 22% thinking it could last even longer.
Less than a quarter (24%) of staff think they can have an honest conversation with their boss about their job security and 69% would rather talk to their families about it - although this could further reinforce fears as families will have little access to facts.
Karan Paige, chief people officer at Ceridian, advised: "Inconsistency is the killer of trust. It's about being open, honest and making sure [the thinking behind] the messages you are putting out is joined up."
Nonetheless, engaged employees can be an asset to any organisation: for example, 22% said that in the downturn they would be more likely to suggest innovations to managers.
The survey of 1,000 employees shows that the downturn is helping to retain workers in their current roles - 56% say they want to "hang onto what they have" until things get better. But 88% of staff think they would be able to find another job within six months if they had to.
In downturn staff lose trust in employers
As the economic downturn edges closer to recession, 47% of staff in organisations that have made job cuts say the downturn has put the values of their organisation under pressure.