Companies Wringing Maximum Productivity Out Of Existing Staff [AUDIO]

In case you are wondering, a new survey confirms you are likely spending more time on the job. 

The survey by Towers Watson of 300 companies found two-thirds say they have asked employees to work longer hours in the course of the past three years. Carl Van Horn of the Rutgers Workforce Develiopment Center says with a 9-plus-percent jobless rate out there, employers have a real advantage in this particular situation because of the fact that most workers are reluctant to complain when they are asked to work longer hours.

He also says companies coming back from an economic downturn typically are reluctant to make fulltime hires, for fear they may have to drp them again if business does not pick up quickly enough.

Not only are people working more, many also are taking less time off. Nearly one-third of employers also said their workers have been taking less vacation or personal time in the last three years.

A little more than half of U.S. employers, and a little less than half of the Canadian employers, said they knew the changes they made were hurting their employees' ability to have a healthy work/life balance.

Still, Towers Watson noted that companies may be underestimating the effect work-related stress and poor work/life balance will have on their ability to keep their best workers. That's something many employers haven't had to worry much about through the weak economy, but that may become a bigger issue as the economy improves.