Employment Picture Gloomy

An Associated Press story based on a Harvard Business School poll of alumni finds glum news for U.S. workers. The results:

The survey suggests that incomes aren't likely to increase much anytime soon. Forty-one percent of respondents see lower wages and benefits ahead; just 27 percent expect pay raises.

Many companies are reluctant to add jobs if other alternatives exist. Only 25 percent said they preferred investing in employees, compared with 46 percent who would rather spend on technology. Forty-nine percent favored outsourcing work over hiring.

The companies have become more dependent on part-timers in the past three years.

These were high-powered respondents, 40% of those not retired reported having the title of chief executive or equivalent.