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Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com Good Managers Have Significant Impact on Workers' Overall Job Satisfaction ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), November 4, 2007 - Research conducted by the Kenexa Research Institute (KRI), a division of Kenexa(R), evaluated workers' views of their immediate managers. The report is based on the analysis of data drawn from a representative sample of workers surveyed in 2007 through WorkTrends(TM), KRI's annual survey of worker opinions. The survey included workers from Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the United States. The latest results from the universal study indicate that 63% of subordinate employees rate their managers as effective. Employee's evaluations of their managers are driven by the extent to which the manager displays the fundamentals of managerial competence: treating employees fairly, doing a good job at managing the team's work and the team itself, and providing useful feedback to the employee. There are important differences among cultures as well. Brazilian workers rate ethical conduct as a determinant of managerial effectiveness. Indian workers are more willing to do the very best for the company and have higher feelings of job security when working for an effective manager. German workers who view their managers as effective are more satisfied with their job. For all workers studied, good managers have a significant, favorable impact on how these workers rate their pride in their organization, willingness to recommend it as a place to work and their overall job satisfaction. Additionally, those employees who are satisfied with their manager state a much higher intention to stay with the organization versus those who are dissatisfied. Additionally, those who rate their managers as good also feel they have a promising future with the company and have confidence in the organization's future. "It really boils down to two fundamental truths. Effective managers are respectful, considerate and fair, as well as good organizers who can clearly communicate work expectations and provide feedback. While this is easy to grasp conceptually, many managers struggle with implementation, but for those who get it, there are huge dividends," said Jack Wiley, executive director, Kenexa Research Institute. Social Security Primary Source of Retirement Income for African Americans ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), November 4, 2007 - While Social Security is a key part of retirement for most people, without the program the overwhelming majority of African Americans age 65 and older would live in poverty. According to a new report by AARP's Public Policy Institute, nearly 80 percent of older African Americans rely on Social Security for 50 percent or more of their income. AARP is working in Illinois with employers, business and community leaders to increase financial security within the African American community. Some of the efforts focus on implementing measures, such as the auto-enrollment of employees in 401k plans, to better prepare employees for retirement. "Nearly 75 million working Americans do not have a way to save or plan for their retirement," says Evelyn Gooden, AARP Illinois State President. "In Illinois AARP is working hand in hand with employers and community leaders to provide stronger financial security for African Americans of all ages -- this study clearly shows we have a lot of work to do." While the financial security of persons over 65 has generally improved over the last 30-plus years, this improvement does not apply to all minority groups, including African Americans. In 2005, African Americans accounted for 8.4 percent of the over-65 population, but 19.3 percent of those over 65 living in poverty. For nearly half (44.3 percent) of older African Americans, Social Security is their sole source of income. "Further steps must be taken to educate African Americans about their options for saving and steps must be taken in the workplace so they have all the resources available to do so," added Gooden. "Not taking advantage of employer sponsored programs like a 401k, especially since many companies match employee contributions, is like leaving money on the table." While nearly half (49%) of American workers do not participate in an employment-based retirement plan, 30% do not take full advantage of their 401k. With traditional defined benefit pensions on the decline and Americans saving less and less for their retirement, new steps are key to establishing financial security. AARP also supports federal auto- IRA legislation to provide employees with direct-deposit payroll deductions to an IRA at a financial institution. The employer would not have to contribute to such an account, nor would they hold any liability for investment decisions. In Illinois and across the nation AARP members are engaged in Divided We Fail -- www.dividewefail.org -- a grassroots movement to raise the issues of financial security and health care to the political forefront and press candidates and lawmakers for answers and solutions. Archived: Expanding Trade Has Delivered Better U.S. Jobs and Raised Standards of Living Blunt Offers Support to Prosecutors to Enforce Laws Against Illegal Immigration Unrealistic Expectations Could Lead to Broken Retirement Dreams for Younger Generations Employees Value Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts Job Seekers Continue to Shift Towards the Internet New Jobs Data Shows Unemployment Rising Among Least Educated Americans SHARE Network Additions Extend Career Resources to New Parts of the State Mortgage Crisis Could Create Talent Gridlock Dislocated Missouri Workers to Receive $1 Million in Assistance More Illinois Workers Confident in Ability to Find New Job Missouri Employers Add 11,000 Jobs in August Managers Believe in Motivational Benefits of Remote Working but Worry About Productivity Job Creation Bill Opens Door to More High Wage Jobs with Health Benefits Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace Construction Jobs Booming but Workforce Still Lacks Women and African-Americans Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace Butting Heads With the Boss: Speak Your Mind Without Regretting It New Research Shows Remote and Home-Based Employees Feel More Favorably About Company Community-Based Job Training Grants Impact Community and Technical Colleges Federal- and State-Level Minimum Wage Hikes Hurting Teen Job Market Strong Global Economy Boosts Demand for Contingent Tech/Engineering Workers    The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. 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