Employers, it seems, are more pessimistic about their employees'situations than the employees themselves. A study from TowersWatson found that 65 percent of workers say changes made in theircompany as a result of the downturn has had an adverse affect ontheir workload. Almost 80 percent of employers saw the same effect.Nearly two-thirds of employers think the changes they've enacted inthe company have negatively affected their workers' work-lifebalance, while only 44 percent of workers agree. And, almost halfof workers say business changes have hindered their ability tomanage work-related stress; 69 percent of employers agreed.

When it comes to the impact changes have had on the businesshowever, employers may be turning a blind eye to issues in thecompany. Forty-one percent of employees say changes have had anadverse affect on quality and customer service, but only 17 percentof employers felt the same way. Just over one-third of employerssaid productivity has suffered, while 44 percent of employers sayit has.

One thing workers and their bosses agree on, though, is thatloyalty and commitment to the company has suffered. Forty-ninepercent of employers said business changes have negatively affectedtheir employees' commitment, compared with 47 percent ofworkers.