Small business workers feel uninspired by bosses - survey

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Around a quarter of the world's small business workers are showing signs of depression and most feel uninspired by their bosses, a survey shows.

The rogenSi Global Mindset Index (GMI), a survey into the attitudes of the global workforce, found that almost 1 in 4 (23 per cent) of those surveyed were depressed, identifying with five or more of the key depressive adjectives outlined by the World Health Organisation.

The index also found that only 12 per cent of the global workforce is feeling optimistic.

Only 14 per cent of respondents said they were inspired by their employer.

RogenSi director Clark Perry said the results were of "grave concern and need to be addressed immediately''.

"When you consider that small enterprises make up the vast majority of all employing businesses in Australia, we would be in dire straights if this sector fell apart,'' Dr Perry said.

"During the three years we've been conducting the index, we've also seen the continued downward slide of people's emotions being controlled by external factors resulting in unstable employee motivation.''

Global consultancy group rogenSi said it surveyed 1,071 employees across industry sectors from around the world.

- AAP