Recession Survey: 41% of Workers Believe We're Already in a Recession

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Aug 18, 2022, 15:00 ET

—Limiting job offers: 36 percent say their company has restricted hiring—
—Letting staff go: 13 percent say workers have been laid off—
—Restructurings taking place: 19 percent say companies have undertaken a major reorganization—
—Feeling secure: Despite shakeups, 80 percent feel their job isn't in jeopardy—

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid debate about whether the US is in a recession, a new survey reveals 41 percent of workers believe we are.

The Conference Board survey also finds that businesses are already taking precautionary measures. Indeed, 36 percent of survey respondents say their company has already begun to restrict hiring to crucial roles, and 13 percent say layoffs have been conducted. Workers aren't worried, however, with 80 percent feeling secure in their jobs. In fact, workers are more worried about a declining stock market than the possibility of losing their job.

"Amid historically low unemployment in the US, this recession will be significantly different from prior downturns," said Rebecca Ray, PhD, Executive Vice President of Human Capital at The Conference Board. "Businesses should be mindful of the lessons learned from the COVID recession, when those that furloughed or laid off workers saw just how hard it can be to get that talent back. As we face another recession—which The Conference Board projects will begin later this year—leaders should explore alternatives to layoffs and furloughs, such as offering incentives for voluntary separation."

The latest workforce survey from The Conference Board polled more than 1,000 individuals—predominantly professional/office workers—from July 29-August 4. Respondents weighed in on recession expectations and fears, as well as what measures their businesses have taken.

Key findings include:

41 percent of respondents think we are already in a recession.
Given the current economic climate, do you believe we will have an economic slowdown/recession in the US?

41 percent of respondents think we are already in a recession.
33 percent believe we will be in a recession within six months.
More white respondents say we are already in a recession than other races/ethnicities:

Asian American/Pacific Islander: 34 percent
Black: 27 percent
Hispanic/Latino: 35 percent
White: 42 percent

More men say we are in a recession than women:

Men: 46 percent
Women: 35 percent

Businesses are already taking cost-cutting measures, including hiring restrictions and restructurings.
Which of the following organization cost reduction measures have you witnessed?

Restricting and freezing hiring are the top measures taken so far:

Restricted hiring to crucial roles: 36 percent
Froze all hiring: 22 percent
Implemented a major restructuring of the organization: 19 percent
Deferred pay increases or bonuses: 15 percent
Cut bonuses: 14 percent
Conducted layoffs: 13 percent
Implemented furloughs with benefits: 4 percent

Cost-cutting is not yet as severe as early COVID measures.

Freezing or restricting hiring were also the top measures taken at the start of COVID-19, but to a greater degree:

Restricted hiring to crucial roles during COVID: 66 percent
Froze all hiring: 32 percent

In response to COVID, however, businesses were less likely to restructure or conduct layoffs, but more likely to implement furloughs:

Implemented a major restructuring of the organization: 5 percent
Conducted layoffs: 8 percent
Implemented furloughs with benefits: 23 percent

Despite cost-cutting measures, most workers feel secure in their jobs.
How secure do you feel about retaining your job?

44 percent are secure, and 36 percent are very secure in their jobs.
The higher the seniority level, the more secure respondents are in their jobs:

Individual contributors: 72 percent are secure
CEOs: 94 percent

For workers, a declining stock market trumps worries of losing their job.
In the event of a significant economic slowdown/recession, what are your greatest fears?

60 percent of respondents say a decline in the stock market is among their greatest fears in the event of a recession, the top response.

Decline in stock market: 60 percent
Job loss: 42 percent
Delayed retirement plans: 31 percent
Falling home value: 27 percent
Loss of health benefits: 14 percent

Black respondents fear job loss less than other races/ethnicities, but fear delayed home purchase at around two times the rate:

Job loss:

Asian American/Pacific Islander: 58 percent
Black: 26 percent
Hispanic/Latino: 56 percent
White: 42 percent

Delayed home purchase:

Asian American/Pacific Islander: 11 percent
Black: 21 percent
Hispanic/Latino: 9 percent
White: 8 percent

Recession worries vary by generation.
In the event of a significant economic slowdown/recession, what are your greatest fears?

Millennials fear job loss at a much higher rate than their generational counterparts:

Baby Boomers: 26 percent
Gen X: 46 percent
Millennials: 64 percent

Baby Boomers fear a decline in the stock market at a much higher rate than their generational counterparts:

Baby Boomers: 71 percent
Gen X: 59 percent
Millennials: 43 percent

"Different generations have different priorities," said Robin Erickson, PhD, Vice President of Human Capital at The Conference Board. "As Baby Boomers near retirement, they are keeping a close eye on the stock market and their 401ks. Millennials, on the other hand, are earlier in career and thus less established, and understandably fear job loss more."

Most workers believe they can weather an economic storm.
Do you have financial resources to weather an economic slowdown of six months or less? Of more than six months?

91 percent say they have the financial resources to withstand a slowdown of 6 months or less.
75 percent could endure a recession of more than 6 months.
White respondents, men, and Baby Boomers report they are able to withstand a longer-term slowdown at a higher rate than their counterparts:

Race/ethnicity:

Asian American/Pacific Islander: 70 percent
Black: 61 percent
Hispanic/Latino: 62 percent
White: 79 percent

Gender:

Men: 81 percent
Women: 71 percent

Generation

Baby Boomers: 84 percent
Gen X: 75 percent
Millennials: 60 percent

The top response to a recession? Spend less.
If we have an economic slowdown, how would you respond to it?

66 percent of respondents say they will curtail spending if there is an economic slowdown, the top response:

Curtail spending (e.g., entertainment/leisure activities, non-essentials): 66 percent
Delay big/luxury purchases (e.g., housing, vacation, car): 54 percent
Increase savings: 32 percent
Change investment portfolio to be less risky: 19 percent
Delay retirement: 17 percent

40 percent of Baby Boomers say they would delay retirement if there was a recession.
Black respondents say they would look for a part-time job or side hustle at around two times or more than the rate of other races/ethnicities:

Asian American/Pacific Islander: 4 percent
Black: 13 percent
Hispanic/Latino: 5 percent
White: 7 percent

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

SOURCE The Conference Board