Survey results may surprise you
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Lottery tickets clenched in hands. Eyes trained on the numbered lottery balls in motion like popcorn popping. Mind solely fixed on this thought:
"If I win this one, I'll be rich enough to quit my job."
Rich enough to quit, but would you? Most people would keep working, even if those lottery balls lined up in their favor, says a Harris Poll survey released today. Just over half — 51 percent — of workers said they would continue to work, even if they didn't need the money, said the poll done for the Chicago-based CareerBuilder, a global human resources company focused on recruitment. That means 49 percent would hand in their resignations. (Of that number, 2 percent said they would skip the formality, and just never show up to work again.)
While the number of those who said they would continue working was only slightly higher than the number who said they would call it quits, the survey results contradict long-held beliefs about lottery winners. After claiming winnings, so it is commonly told, the next stop is to the job — preferably in a limousine — delivering this message: "You won't be seeing me around here anymore." This fantasy has at least been a fleeting thought of many who have purchased lottery tickets.
"Most of us tend to say: 'If I win the lottery, I'm out of here," said Elad Granot, an assistant dean of MBA programs and an associate professor of marketing at the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University. "Well, it is not that simple."
The meaning work holds for many complicates matters, said Granot, who is familiar with lottery-related surveys from his specialty in consumer behavior.
"Work for many people, especially those who would label themselves as engaged workers or engaged employees is more than money," he said. "Certainly money is important, but there are a lot of other aspects and elements that play a huge role in why we work. For instance, relationships, achievement and status needs go beyond money."
Nahla Harik-Williams, an associate professor of psychology at Cuyahoga Community College, agrees.
"When you think about the role that a job has in a person's life, it is often a huge part of who you are," she said. "We define ourselves many times in terms of our job. Many of us — especially in the United States, if we are fortunate enough or financially able to go to college — are encouraged to find some way of contributing to society, to make our life feel meaningful through our work."
Matt Tarpey, a career advisor for CareerBuilder, said even though winning the lottery is about landing big bucks, finding out people's thoughts about money wasn't the motivation for having the survey done.
"We saw it as a new way to approach the question of: 'Why do people work?'" he said in an email. "Obviously financial concerns are a driving factor, but what if money suddenly became no object?"
The survey found that while winning the Powerball, Mega Millions, etc. was the realization of a dream for many, money couldn't satisfy the non-monetary gains work brings.
"I would be bored if I didn't work," was the first place answer, given by 77 percent of respondents, as to why they would keep working. Coming in a close second, at 76 percent, was, "Work gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment."
Third place, at 42 percent, was, "I want financial security aside from the financial winnings." Fourth, at 23 percent, was, "I would miss co-workers."
The online survey of 3,372 full-time, private sector workers at least 18-years-old, was conducted between May 13 and June 6. With a 95 percent probability, the survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 1.69 percentage points.
Tarpey said the survey showed that younger workers were more apt than their older counterparts to quit their jobs. Sixty-nine percent of workers 18 to 24 said they would keep working. For those 25 to 34, it was 61 percent. The figure fell to 52 percent for workers 35 to 44. Of those 45 to 55, only 45 percent wanted to keep working. For workers 55 and older, only 41 percent of workers said they would remain employed.
The survey found that those in the Midwest were among the workers who were least likely to want to remain on the job. Forty-eight percent of Midwesterners said they would keep working. In the Northeast, where only 47 percent said they would keep working, was the only region where a lower percentage of people wanted to remain in the labor force. In both the South and the West, 53 percent said they would keep working.
Harik-Williams said the survey's results confirm how Americans value work.
"There is this idea that I want to do something productive and useful," she said. "It is ingrained in us."
Even being rich enough not to work couldn't get many American workers to give up the goal of finding the job that is a perfect fit. While more than half said they would keep working, only 30 percent said they would keep their current jobs. In fact, only 15 percent said they were in their dream job. With such low numbers for liking the jobs they were in, one would predict these workers would be candidates for leaving the labor force all together. But even though they wouldn't have to work, they still valued holding a job. Thirty-six percent say that while they hadn't found their dream job yet, they believed they would — someday.
Harik-Williams said Americans so highly valuing work was something to admire as well as to be a little concerned about.
"Our work is clearly important to us, but we must be careful not to emphasize the role of work in our lives to the exclusion of things like health and self-care," she said. "One must feel a sense of meaning in life besides work. Volunteerism and other kinds of worthy types of activity are examples."
So instead of continuing to work, these hypothetical lottery winners should have considered valuable activities they could have engaged in other than holding a job, Harik-Williams said.
Granot said while this survey was consistent with other polls in which workers were asked what they would do if they won the lottery, their answers may not indicate how respondents really would act if they won. He said research shows people often do poorly at predicting how they will behave in certain circumstances. Granot gave the example of a survey in which customers had been asked before they went into a fast-food restaurant what they planned to order.
"The largest portion of respondents said something along the lines of a salad and a diet Coke," he said. "Then there were people observing inside as they were making their orders. As you can guess, that wasn't how it really played out."
"It wasn't that there was lying going on," Granot said. "They really had the intention of staying healthy. It is just that things don't necessarily play out as we had expected."
But he said one thing about the survey couldn't be debated. We need more than money in helping to define who we are and helping to give meaning to our lives.
"I am not belittling money," he said. "I am a business professor. But there is more to life than money.
"Can you imagine?" he joked.
I would definitely quit my job, but I would not quit working. A major win, you would have to lay low for a while, and relocate (if your name gets published). Slowly, after enough time has gone by, start working again. This time I would be working for fun, or something I really want to do, not what pays the bills (barely). Got to keep active.
If I won the lottery , i would open my own store. so i guess that is still working. So does that mean that i wouldn't quit my job? or are you talking about a job where I worked for a company that I didn't own?
Would definitely quit working. Why work when you don't have to? I would be free to pursue a LOT of other, more interesting things than having to show up to a job that barely pays the bills. Travel, explore other countries, meet new people, learn about new cultures, indulge my hobbies. I would have way more things to do than I could ever get done with the rest of my life. I have a LOT of other interests. Work isn't one of them. It's simply a necessity, nothing more.
Once i get the check, see ya. There's plenty to keep me busy.
That's what I was thinking. To write most wouldn't quit working doesn't mean they wouldn't quit their
current job they have. You can quit your job and still work.
Most jackpot winners stories I remember reading, they quit their job.
Or the winners I've seen on that show "Lottery Changed My Life" they're doing their own
thing to keep busy.
My path is Clear as crystal as to where l am heading.
I already had my employer cut me down to 2 days a week, quit, you bet!
I think I would devote money and time to helping Vets and their families.
What the report didn't mention was how co-workers would treat a jackpot winner.
Also, what people say they would do and what they actually do after something like that can be quite different.
Sidenote:
It's said that one of the most common times people have heart attacks is Monday mornings.........some people dread going back to work after their days off that their bodies actually shut down on them.
Yes!
Yes, and would volunteer time in a soup kitchen............. I love to cook.
I'd try and keep it quiet and continue working. Sad i know.
Very true. Where I work, there would be hard feelings if I won and kept working. I sell furniture, commission sales. So I know that there would other sales people saying "why is he taking ups that I could have, and taking sales that I need?"
I would definitely retire. I'm 60, so I would just fish, and travel, and enjoy life if I ever get so lucky.
How could you seat there in your work station taking b.s.orders from your moody boss when you know you don't have to? People who say they'd keep working as employees sure got jokes
Yes. I have lots of hobbies that I would invest my time in.
Sully16, I am sorry to hear that! This is a painful experience on several levels to a person. Yet another evidence of overpopulation, inflation increasing, theft increasing, and wistful employers/companies not receiving the community/nation support they require to keep and ADD to their full-time employees each year!
Love/charity your neighbor -- switch to mainly buying American services and products people.
You betcha I would quit, and leave them in the lurch. The last time I described my boss to one of my fellow employees, I called her a malicious arsehole (used the nasty word), and she agreed with me, from what she has heard from me and others.
On the other hand, I have lots of things that would keep me busy trying to do them. And if we won enough, hubby has ideas of a shop he wants to open, and a couple of friends who would be able to help with it.
Yes i will have to quit mines now that i've discover the greatest historical discovery unknown to mankind,
Yes Indeed,all because it would be very profitable for me,
because i learnt alot over the past three weeks....
And ""Time Traveling""is something unheard of in history,
Now if you believe that or not its up to you,
but as God as my witness
From the future was the ..
422..
120..
and the 178
its all to amazing to even talk about it....
So i won now i'm waiting to see history again
Totally amazing
Yes, I would then tell the owner and CEO of my Co. to go #*%$ themselves...
Well, the idea of continuing 'work-for-pay' depends. The survey didn't indicate how much monies were netted from the lottery win!!! So, if after my accountant/I set aside the remaining 18% that would be due to Federal Income & Medicare+Taxes, I had a remainder/net worth of over $2.9M ... I would, within 1 month, quit my current paid work/job/career at any age!
Because, in the above scenario, I would no longer have EXCESS daily time. Instead, I would quickly need to switch my available daily "work time" of apx. 8 hours to: begin taking some part-time on-line finance/investing courses to invest apx. $2.5M; fill-out paperwork to join an on-line investment/options service; begin "pretend investing" into 4-5 different industries to benchmark my understanding/success rate; research and buy a well-kept 2 year-old vehicle; sell my current vehicle; research and buy a different home; arrange donating or selling many of my current usable, yet no longer desired furniture and electronics possessions; and move -- either within or outside of the state. I would be SUPER BUSY that first 11-13 months post-win!
Thanks HaveABall, it was my choice to work less hours, for some much needed r&r, when I am ready they will be happy to give me more hours.
This is the middle class mindset imho. The upper class thanks you for your desire to keep working to line their pockets
If i had a fire at home id jump out the window depending on the situation. winning too much can be a lot of work,and maybe more than ever.
I would probably work for one more year,maybe in my state you can get ur monies anonymously.Don,t want to draw to much attention.
If I ever had a muti million dollar hit, I would seriously consider quitting. One of the advantages or dreams of hitting the lottery is to travel the world. Well it would be hard to see the world if you are still stuck at your job with only two weeks of vacation a year right?
I took the lazy route and didn't even read the article before posting. Simple answer: YES!! a resounding YES!!!
I really hate to sound like a snob but i COMPLETELY AGREE!!! Most of us have been working for so long, so focused on that next pay check, the rent, the mortgage, retirement if lucky that we fail to realize that we really haven't been living....merely existing. Nothing wrong with that in some respects but most of us don't even think of life as it could/should be. We aim so much to survive that we forgot how to thrive.
We are all very different, but i am yet to conceive one possible scenario wherein I'd continue working (in teh same capacity i am now) should I win the lottery. I wholeheartedly find the question as ludicrous as i do insulting.
But to each their own i suppose.
I think most people have been so focused on not loosing their jobs, saving for the future, paying those bills, taking care of the kids, keeping that security.... and in doing do, for years, they failed to develop hobbies, challenging interests, explored new ideas, traveled, relaxed and go beyond themselves. If i won the lottery I'd be the busiest man on planet earth. Soooooooo much to do. Soooooooo many places to explore. Sooooo many classes to enroll in. Sooooooo many books to read. Sooooooo many places to volunteer. Languages to learn. Cuases to devote to. Businesses to build. I could go on and on and on. Not to mention that managing your winnings is a full time job itself, that's why so many fools go broke after winning. When you win the lottery you are basically inheriting a business that requires serious management.
Is this even a serious question??????
I am still seething from how insulting this question really really is. Am I alone in feeling this way???
Lots of people would probably do the same thing and those who say they will continue working will eventually do the same thing. I can't imagine winning $10 million or more after taxes and allowing some clown to order me around.
>>"This is the middle class mindset imho. The upper class thanks you for your desire to keep working to line their pockets." <<
If that's the case why should the middle class even work if all that does according to you is line the pockets of the upper class.
We are middle class and we work to support our family by taking care of the mortgage, food , clothing and the necessary expenses needed for a normal life. if we were fortunate enough to win a major lottery there is a good chance my husband who is in the medical field would still keep his job but perhaps cut his hours a bit. I would keep doing all the daily chores of performing the duties of a housewife and raising a child without seeking outside help.
Amen. I would likely drop my day job after a reasonable period (1-2 months) but keep my own artist and writing career. But I would also do some volunteering based on those day job credentials since I worked too hard to obtain them. I think if God gives you a talent at anything and you work to develop it, you should continue it in some way.
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money."
Matthew 25:14-30
I would disappear like a thief in the middle of the night!There is a whole wide beautiful world out there and I want to see it!Work?NO WAY!LOL!
Posted before but worth repeating........
Way back before MM, PB, the Big Game, the Illinois lotto game had some pretty good jackpots.
One time in the 1980s a guy from Chicago won $43M. He was a printer making $650 a week (good money back then) and swore he'd keep working.
The guys' name was something like W......ski. We were in the break room and a guy from Detroit (Sully will get this) said, "What else could you expect from a dumb P.....ock!"
Anyway, the guy quit his printing job a month or so later and bought a bowling alley (his hobby) and a short while later bought a second one.
Honestly, I would keep working for two reasons.
2. Ever since Bernie Madoff, there has been no such thing as financial security anymore. People lost hundreds of millions in an instant.
In one word "YES!"
"Money might not be the most important thing in the world, but it does affect the things that are the most important to you."
Paula White
Would like to set up an empty warehouse or some commercial sized premises as fully functional living quarters for homeless families. Maybe some clapped out hotel/motel. Wishful? Maybe but I'd sure like to give it a go. Luck to you all.
I used to say I probably wouldn't quit but with the recent changes in management where I work, it's a different story. I just don't like the way things are going there, so if I can get out I will. What I'd probably do is volunteer work instead.
yes i will and would invest for my own business .
As HaveABall mentioned, the JP size wasn't mentioned. If you won the first drawing after the Texas Lottery rolled over, you'd take home a bit less than 2 million. There would be a lot of other variables to factor in; if you were making $50k/yr and took home a JP of a million, that's 20 yrs. of the same income you have now (not counting investment income), not even counting what you'd want to spend out of the initial amt. How old are you at the time of winning? If you're close to retiring anyway, why not quit? OTOH, suppose you've got another few years to be vested in the pension plan? If you won 100 million, then I could see not worrying about that, but *only* a million? Be hard to just throw away that extra money you'd be due.
I enjoyed reading the comments from those who would "give back", esp. to the vets. I'd want to try to end hunger. Oh, I couldn't do it for the entire planet, but I sure could make it go away in my small piece of the world.
Lots of factors, mainly, as others have noted, size of JP and winners' age.
Other than those who absolutely detest their employer, betting most stay on through a short period, maybe to see a project through or otherwise not leave co-workers in a lurch during vacations, etc. They'll understand better than you you'll likely be moving on soon enough.
rcbuckeye is the only one that touched upon this, but what about making room for someone who really needs the job?
Ut oh.
Yes that is a GREAT point - if you win & stay in your job you are keeping it from someone else who needs it.
I would be so retired, that people who know me would think I was in a "home" someplace !!!!!
Realistically, my hobbies and volunteering my time with a local program like Big Brothers Big Sisters would take up most of my week...
I'd be outta there in a hearbeat! Maybe hire Johnny Paycheck and his band to deliver the formal resignation letter.
Sooooooo many other things that I could do with my time and so many other people who need the job. Status shouldn't be defined by who you work for or what kind of job you have. Its what you stand for that matters.
Actually, I don't really believe the survey. Its so easy to do an online survey and click off your responses without really thinking about it, 'cause its all hypothetical. What they should have done was interviewed actual lottery winners to see what they did after the win and how many of them are still working in a job (as opposed to being self-employed).
I'm betting that there are very few significant $$$ winners who are still going through the daily grind to collect a pay check at the end of the week.