An Ipsos Reid study has found that 22 per cent of Canadian employees are concerned that they may lose their jobs or be laid off this year because of the recession.

The finding, released Wednesday in Ipsos Reid's Build a Better Workplace syndicated study, is a slightly lower figure than was reported in a previous study in January, when the national score was 24 per cent. It represents employee concerns expressed in the last week of May.

"Although employees tend to get accustomed to the turbulent environment in sectors deeply affected by the crisis, their level of anxiety is high," J.B. Aloy, an expert on employee management and engagement for Ipsos Reid, said in a news release.

"This is especially true in organizations where layoffs have been announced. In these organizations, 44 per cent are concerned, down slightly when compared to January’s study, but still indicating a high level of anxiety."

The study shows that the gap in anxiety levels between Ontario and Western Canadian provinces is narrowing and anxiety about job security is low in Quebec, at 14 per cent, when compared to the national average of 22 per cent.

There has been a shift, as well, in the categories of employees considered most anxious.

Concerns in the manufacturing sector, for example, are lower at 30 per cent than they were in January, at 40 per cent. And concerns in the business services and communications sectors have increased so that they are now on par with that of manufacturing.

The study shows that people working in the sales field are more anxious than staff working in administrative support, managerial or technical functions. Nearly one in three sales employees is concerned about job security, with 12 per cent "very much concerned."

Aloy said managers might wonder what they need to do to keep their workforces focused and might ask themselves: Is it possible to assess the impact of the anxiety? Are anxious employees less satisfied with their professional situation? Are they less motivated?

"The answer to all three questions is yes," Aloy said. "Concerns about one's professional future are clearly impacting staff motivation."

Respondents were asked why their motivation is dropping. One employee said: "The atmosphere of looming cutbacks combined with an uncommunicative senior management does little to inspire team spirit amongst the ranks."

Another said: "After having 50 per cent of staff laid off, there remains a combination of survivor's guilt and the nagging question: 'Am I next?'"

Employees reported that a number of measures have been implemented by employers in response to the recession.

In addition to layoffs, 27 per cent reported hiring freezes; 26 per cent reported salary freezes; 26 per cent reported budget cuts for travel; 10 per cent reported reductions in benefits; eight per cent reported salary reductions; eight per cent reported mandatory vacations; eight per cent reported four-day work weeks.

The study shows that 43 per cent of employees consider internal communications about these kinds of changes in the workplace to be effective. But Aloy said many report an increase in pressure at work as a result and say the impact on their motivation levels is significant.

Employees indicated that base salary increases, in workplaces where salary freezes are not being implemented, will be limited in the coming fiscal year.

Ipsos Reid conducted an online poll of 1,128 employees in Canada between May 22 and May 29, 2009.

It releases this study every quarter to identify key trends in employee motivation and opinion.