Press Release

New Survey Shows Workers Rethinking Job Priorities

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, August 26, 2002 -- According to a new workplace survey by CIGNA Behavioral Health, mounting economic and world tensions have taken a toll over the past year, and have led many American workers to take a closer look at what's important in their lives and contemplate making significant changes - so much so that 45% of all employees surveyed say they've either considered leaving their job in the last year, left a job, or plan to do so soon.

"Over the past year, American workers have had to persevere through some extraordinarily trying times," said Dr. Keith Dixon, president of CIGNA Behavioral Health. "With retirement nest eggs cracking, job security waning and terrorist threats still on the radar screen, employees are facing stresses that are causing them to rethink their priorities. Employers are in a position to help - but only if they choose to."

According to the survey, where employers have instituted or expanded workplace employee assistance programs, workers are decidedly more upbeat about their future. Fifty-four percent of those who have remained on the job indicate their employer offers workplace assistance, while only 37% of those employees who have left their job or intend to indicate they have access to workplace assistance.

The survey, entitled "Worried At Work: Mood and Mindsets In The American Workplace," sampled 750 employees over age 18 with workplace benefits and 200 employers nationwide. Among the findings, the survey found that 44% of employees said their job was more stressful now than a year ago.

When employees were asked to describe their current workplace attitude:

• 47% said "choppy waters" best described their job environment (work has challenges but I'm coping);
• 11% describe themselves as "man overboard" (life's too short and I want to do something different);
• 41% identify their work environment as "smooth sailing" (my job is going great).

Shifting Sources of Stress at the Workplace

The survey shows that sources of stress and anxiety at the workplace have evolved since the fall of 2001. Employees who say their attitude at work has changed for the worse point to several factors:

• 51% say the uncertain economy is a main contributing factor to their attitude shift;
• 40% cite worries about personal job loss as a contributor;
• Another 40% are troubled by heightened distrust in corporate America;
• 36% cite the reduced value of their retirement savings and investments.

According to the survey, concerns about world tensions and terrorist attacks have receded:

• 8% say the 9/11 attacks are a contributing factor to their attitude changing for the worse;
• And only 5% of employees say ongoing threats of terrorist attacks are a contributor to stress.

Life's Too Short: America's Emerging Worklife Dilemma

The survey also found that in the wake of economic and world pressures, some employees are taking a closer look at what their lives have amounted to and are making significant changes:

• Of the 11% of employees who've already left a job or plan to soon, most (70%) say their decision was based on the fact that they want to do something entirely different with their lives;
• 34% of all employees surveyed say they've considered leaving their job but in the end decided to stick it out in their current position;
• Of these, 88% say their decision not to leave was based on their need for a steady paycheck;
• 37% admit they're staying put because they have a fear of the unknown.

"These figures should catch the attention of employers across the country," says Dr. Dixon. "It's hard to build productive and cohesive work teams when more than a third of your people would rather be doing something else. We have seen that effective workplace support programs can help, and many of these employees can become invigorated contributors once again."

Workplace Support: Re-energizing the American Worker

The survey found that a number of employers have recognized the importance of offering workplace assistance - and that both they and their employees believe it can make a difference. Moreover, many employers have stepped up and provided greater levels of support over the past year to help their employees better cope with stress on the job:

• 57% of employers currently offer workplace support, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs);
• 35% of those who offer support options indicate they've increased such assistance in the last year;
• More than half (57%) of employers who've increased their workplace support options in the past year say their employees' attitudes have changed for the better;
• Of employees, 74% who say their company offers workplace support find it valuable or helpful.

More American Workers Making Changes in Lifestyle to Cope with Stress

The survey also indicates that many employees over the past year have taken it upon themselves to develop better coping mechanisms to deal with stress and achieve better work/life balance:

• 55% have increased their amount of exercise or physical activity;
• 55% say they're taking more time for recreation, vacations or just having fun;
• 47% are reading more, signing up for classes or taking up hobbies;
• 43% are taking more time for thoughtful reflection or getting more involved with their faith.

Survey Points To How Companies Can Help Employees

The survey highlights several workplace initiatives employers can put in place to help their workers cope. Employees who feel more upbeat about their jobs and have support options cite the following:

1) Stress reduction or counseling services - 72% say their employer is offering services to help workers reduce stress and address other difficult situations.
2) Flexible work schedules - 65% say their employer offers programs that encourage variable work schedules that accommodate employee's personal needs and requirements.
3) Work/life balance programs - 52% say their employer offers programs that help workers build skills to better manage the demands of both personal and professional life.
4) Promotion of volunteerism - 50% say their employer encourages volunteerism.
5) Physical fitness, nutrition or other health programs - 49% say their employer is offering fitness, nutrition and other wellness programs.

About the Survey

The surveys, fielded by KRC Research, were conducted from July 11 to July 17, 2002. The surveys included responses from more than 750 employees as well as more than 200 employers across the United States. The employee survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent at the 95% confidence level while the employer survey has a margin of error of +/- 6.9 percent.

For More Information About the Survey, Please Click on: http://www.prnewswire.com/cigna/ppt/woratwork.ppt

About CIGNA Behavioral Health

CIGNA Behavioral Health provides behavioral health and substance-abuse benefit management and employee assistance programs to approximately 14 million people throughout the United States. CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. is a subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI). Products and services are provided by operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.

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