October 17, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - More than 35%
of employees do not consider their boss a leader and 30% of
employees do not think their boss is qualified for the
position, according to a survey by SkillSoft, which provides
e-learning and performance support solutions.
According to a press release about the survey,
employees in IT were the most likely to attest to their
boss’ leadership skills (65%), while more than half of
employees (51%) in sales and marketing-related roles
questioned the leadership skills of their
supervisor.
“This new report uncovers an all too common
challenge plaguing businesses,” said John Ambrose, Senior
Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development &
Emerging Business for SkillSoft, in the press release.
“Managers are likely to receive little or no guidance in
developing strong leadership skills. However, management
training is an integral component for enhancing employee
productivity, improving job satisfaction, reducing
employee turnover and maintaining agility in the
workforce.”
According to SkillSoft, most of these leadership
skills can be acquired through a corporate training
program that incorporates a mix of e-learning components
such as knowledge portals, leadership training videos and
online content geared towards management and leadership
issues.
The study included interviews with more than 200
employees, ranging from entry-level to executive
positions across the U.S.
Those looking for insights for the future might well
take a look at how today’s retirees (and near retirees) are
faring – and how that compares with recent history.
And, thanks to the Employee Benefit Research Institute
(EBRI), we now have a convenient means to do so.
EBRI has just completed all of its Income of the
Population Age 55 and Over tabulations – all freely
available on their web site.
So, if you’re looking for information about where those who
are retired (or nearly retired) are drawing income, the
Databook on Employee Benefits Chapters 6, 7, and 8 is the
place for you.
Below is a brief description of the chapters – each
contains spread sheets showing data for each year from
1975-2006.
Dollar amounts are shown in current dollars and adjusted to
2006 dollars.
The Data
Chapter 6
Income Statistics of the Population Ages 55 and Over –
Data is presented here on the following: percentage of the
older population in poverty; real median income of the
older population by gender; median and mean income of the
population by education, marital status and race; real
median income by age and source of income; comparison of
the measurement of retirement income between the Current
Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic (March)
Supplement and the National Income and Product Accounts of
the United States. The end of the chapter contains a
reference section to other EBRI research on income
statistics of the population ages 55 and over in a question
and answer format.
Sources of Income for Persons Ages 55 and Over – Data is
presented here on the following: percentage distribution of
population and income by detailed income source, mean
income, and median income; aged income from private sector
and public sector defined benefit plans; private sector and
public sector defined benefit plans by age of recipient;
median income from major sources, married couples and
unmarried individuals aged 65 and over; percentage of
individuals aged 55 and over with income from specified
sources and percentage distribution of income from all
sources by age; percentage of individuals aged 65 and over
with income from specified sources and percentage
distribution of income from all sources by income quintile.
The end of the chapter contains a reference section to
other EBRI research on sources of income for persons ages
55 and over in a question and answer format.
Retirement Annuity and Employment-Based Pension Income –
Data is presented here on the following: percentage
receiving, median, and mean amount of retirement annuity
and/or employment-based pension income recipiency. The data
is presented for the following demographics: age, sex,
industry, education, marital status, and income quintile.
The end of the chapter contains a reference section to
other EBRI research on retirement annuity and
employment-based pension income in a question and answer
format.