Executive trust remains favorable

WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- A new poll conducted by the Gallup Organization and the global financial services firm UBS showed the overwhelming majority of American employees continue to trust in the corporate executives who run the companies for which they work.

However, employees do not feel the same about corporate executives running other corporations, according to the Gallup/UBS employee outlook index, which measures employee confidence and its role as one of the key indicators of the future direction and well-being of the U.S. economy.

The report showed most employees are becoming somewhat less confident about the business outlook for their companies.

The Gallup/UBS employee outlook index declined for the second consecutive month in June, falling to 66 from 69 in May and 72 in April.

In June, 89 percent of the nation's employees surveyed said that they have a great deal, or a moderate amount, of trust in the executives running their companies.

This is essentially the same percentage as in April. Also in June, 89 percent of employees said they have a great deal, or a moderate amount, of trust in the people who handle the finances and accounting at their companies.

Virtually the same percentage took this position in April.

When asked their opinion of corporate executives, 87 percent say that the people who run the companies for which they work are honest and ethical. Only 54 percent said that they believe most corporate executives to be honest and ethical.

Similarly, 82 percent said that the people who run the companies for which they work are good leaders, while 67 percent believe that most corporate executives are good leaders.

And, 73 percent said that the people who run the companies for which they work are worth the money they earn, while 41 percent believe that most corporate executives are worth the money they earn.

Dennis Jacobe, Gallup's chief economist, said, "I believe that for the future of the U.S. economy, it is extremely important that employees continue to have a great deal of trust and confidence in the leaders of their companies, and that they remain highly engaged in their work."