Aussies unhappy with bosses, but won't change: survey

CANBERRA, (Reuters Life!) - Most Australian employees are not happy at work, but they hang in there because they believe a different employer won't be any better than their own, according to a survey.

The survey of 2,000 people by online employment agency www.LinkMe.com.au shows that nearly 60 percent of Australians were not satisfied with their employer after taking into account working hours, staff morale, wages, company image, charity support and career progression.

But more than 50 percent said they would not change because they didn't think a new company would be an improvement.

"Employers must realize that the Australian workplace is an environment of low unemployment so they need to provide better working environments or risk losing staff," CEO of LinkMe.com.au Campbell Sallabank was quoted as saying in Australian media.

Just over 25 percent of respondents said staff morale was "downright awful" while 32 percent said their wages were too low.

Only 17 percent said they worked for an ideal company, while 33 percent said the competition was tough to get into those types of firms.

"Workers should not hold back from trying to improve their office environment," Sallabank said. "Voting with your feet is the best way to improve the situation as there are plenty of good employers out there."

Australia's jobless rate has been holding steady at 4.3 percent, its lowest level for 33 years, while employment has risen due to a strong economy.