15% of employed Americans believe that they are somewhat or very likely to lose their jobs in the next 12 months. Findings from the July 2012 HEAT report on employment confidence indicate there is a slight downturn in forward-looking job security compared with June 2012, when 14% thought it likely they will lose their jobs in a year’s time.

Job security worries are chiefly among people who make $100,000 or less – only 13% of those earning more than $100,000 thought it likely they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months, less than the average for overall employed respondents. Younger respondents are more pessimistic about job security – 5% thought it very likely they will lose their jobs within a year, compared with 4% overall. The slight downturn in employment confidence is most marked among 18-34 year-olds. In June 2012, 12% of younger earners said it is likely they will lose their jobs in the next year – now 15% of 18-34 year-olds say that this is likely.

But backward-looking job security has improved marginally. In July 2012, 12% said their job had become more secure over the past month. In June 2012, this figure was 11%. 17% of employed respondents said job security has worsened over the past. Job security has improved more among 18-34 year-olds, of whom 19% feel their job is more secure than last month. Higher earners also saw a greater-than-average improvement in job security over the past month. 14% of those earning more than $100,000 feel their job is more secure than one month ago.

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HEAT Data: Job security in July 2012 compared with one month ago

Methodology:

The YouGov Household Economic Activity Tracker is a monthly review of the key indicators of consumer confidence. It provides statistical results from the month reviewed to indicate consumer confidence for the month that was. The indicators included in this post are:

  • Household financial situation
  • Job security
  • Workplace activity levels

For more information on how you can use YouGov's Household Economic Activity Tracker – and see how changes in consumer confidence affect your customers, clients, and prospects – contact Stephen Harmston, stephen.harmston@yougov.com, +44 (0) 207 012 3139