One quarter of Canadian workers fear they’ll lose their jobs as the recession deepens, according to a survey released Monday by Ipsos Reid.

“We’re seeing concerns throughout all levels the organizational structure,” says JB Aloy, Ipsos’ resident expert on employee research. “From managers, to technical specialists, to workers on the floor, there is a great concern across all career streams about what this crisis means for their job.”

A breakdown of the various sectors reflects different levels of concern in different economic segments. Only 14% of public sector employees are concerned that this economy will put their jobs in jeopardy. In the private sector, that concern is shared by 27% of employees. Not surprising, the manufacturing sector is the most anxious: 40% of employees in the sector are concerned about job cutbacks and losses.

In organizations where layoffs have already been announced, anxiety is at the highest. Nearly half (48%) are concerned that they may be next on the chopping block.

Nationwide, Eastern Canada is more concerned than Western Canada. In Ontario, 30% of employees are concerned, whereas slightly fewer (21%) of their counterparts in Western Canada share that concern.

The results were obtained from the Better Workplace Syndicated Study, an online poll of over 1,100 employees in Canada, completed on January 20, 2009. In addition to asking employees about their job security, the poll delved into issues related to career goals and wellness at work.

IE