American’s Confidence Up on Job Security

WASHINGTON (AP) — A long-standing public opinion poll finds that confidence about job security and availability grew in the U.S. last year. The 2012 General Social Survey finds that confidence in the U.S. job market has rebounded to roughly a normal level from its record low after the Great Recession.

Americans increasingly feel they could find a new job if necessary and fear of being laid off dropped last year from its 2010 peak to roughly its average for the 35 years the question has been asked. The percentage of Americans who said it would be somewhat or very easy to find a job if they lost theirs rose to 54 percent last year from 46 percent in 2010.

Greater confidence among those who have a job could boost economic growth. One economist points out that people who aren't afraid of being laid off may spend more.