Irish businesses are under increasing pressure but their staff are prepared to work harder to keep their jobs, according to the latest National Workplace Survey.
The report found that while 61% of businesses have cut their workforce in the last two years, employees are more prepared to accept poorer conditions like longer hours and pay cuts than they were in the previous survey in 2003.
It also found that on average, men were earning one third more than women.
Almost 3,000 public and private sector employers surveyed indicated they were under pressure. 61% have cut their workforce, compared to 32% in 2003.
Of almost 5,110 employees surveyed, over half reported a reduction in staff numbers within their organisation.
Employees appear more willing to accept change and poorer conditions like longer hours and pay cuts, though that is likely to reflect their reduced bargaining power in a period of high unemployment.
Overall trade union membership continues to fall - most dramatically among under 25s - though it rose among over 40s.
The survey found that the public service was more likely to implement innovative approaches like consulting with staff - resulting in a five fold improvement in outcomes.
Private sector firms that did so showed a three fold improvement. But small firms emerged as the slowest to adopt such policies, the survey showed.
Average earnings from March to June 2009 were €707 a week, though men earned €808 - a third more than women.
Employees in commercial semi-state companies averaged the highest earnings at €809, compared to €792 in the public sector and €678 in the private sector.
