Ixnay on vaccinations, Thanksgiving, tech at work
Tali ArbelI'D RATHER BE SICK: Despite recommendations from the government and doctors, only 52 percent of U.S. adults said they planned on getting vaccinated for the flu this year, according to a Consumer Reports survey. Among the excuses: 27 percent said they disliked shots — even though a nasal spray is available — and 5 percent said they would rather get sick than go to work.
Some disliked the idea of a vaccination. Nearly half said they do not get sick — even though 83 percent of those who responded to the survey reported getting the flu at least once — while 67 percent said it was better to build up a natural immunity to influenza. More than a quarter flat-out said they think the vaccine doesn't work.
The telephone survey of 2,011 U.S. adults was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center from Oct. 9-14. The survey had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
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THANKSGIVING GOES ON: The financial crisis may trim meal plans, but it isn't stopping Americans from traveling to celebrate Turkey Day this year.
In a recent survey, 70 percent of U.S. adults said their their travel budgets weren't smaller than they were last year, and 71 percent said travel costs didn't factor into their plans for the holiday.
Of those who did worry about the cost of how to get to Thanksgiving dinner, more than two-thirds worried about gas prices — even so, 89 percent planned to drive to dinner, and 8 percent opted to drive instead of fly.
Pricey food had an impact on Americans' plans. Less than half said they intended to pay more attention to how much the turkey and trimmings cost this year. About a third said they might ask guests to help by bringing food to dinner, and 10 percent said they would think about cutting back on the number of guests. But 47 percent said no changes were in the works: a traditional Thanksgiving meal is priceless.
The Discover Card Thanksgiving survey polled 1,000 adults over the phone during Oct. 2-5.
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HI-TECH APPEAL: E-mail, workplace blogs, videoconferencing. Providing access to and training in the latest technology can help keep employees happy.
A recent survey of employed Americans found that 80 percent said a high-tech employer is alluring. The same number said access to technology is important to their ability to be productive and creative — so much so that 39 percent said they would consider leaving their current job for one that offered more opportunity to use up-to-date technology.
Those working in the manufacturing sector were most likely to consider switching employers, with 52 percent considering a change so they could work more efficiently with available technology. That compares with 43 percent employed in services and 39 in health.
Men were more likely than women to switch to another job because of a desire for technological training, and younger employees were more likely to place an emphasis on technology in general.
The telephone survey of 1,004 working Americans was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs during Sept. 18-29 on behalf of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.