Monster Meter Poll: 50 Percent of U.S. Workers Surveyed Will Have the Summer Off as Result of Unemployment

With the first day of summer fast approaching, more than half of U.S. workers polled will find themselves with the summer off, due to unemployment, reports Monstercom.

Fifty-five percent of the U.S. workforce will have flexible hours this summer as a result of job loss, according to a nationwide poll conducted by Monster.com. Monster.com is a global online career and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc.

"With many companies offering flexible working hours as an alternative to lay-offs, it's not surprising that nearly one-quarter of the respondents (20 percent) report flexible working hours during the summer are a perk where they work," said Norma Gaffin, director of career content, Monster.com. "In fact, Inc.com reports on a recent study suggesting one way companies are looking to keep employees engaged amidst news of lay-offs is to grant flextime," Gaffin added.

Only five percent of poll participants indicate their flexible summer schedules are a direct result of cost-cutting initiatives within their companies. The remaining 20 percent of Monster Meter poll respondents say flexible working hours at their companies are not an option during summer months.

Will you have flexible working hours this summer?

- Yes, it's a perk where I work: 20 percent

- Yes, as part of a cost-cutting measure: 5 percent

- No, it's not an option at my company: 20 percent

- My hours are already flexible as I am out of work: 55 percent

The Monster Meter is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. The results of this Monster Meter are based on 7,624 votes cast by Monster.com U.S. users on the Monster.com homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. The poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate, the company noted.

Monster Worldwide, Inc., parent company of Monster, a global online employment solutions company.

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