Nearly a third of Washington residents are concerned about job security amid signs of a slow recovery, according to a new survey for Everest College.

When asked about the high unemployment rate, 29 percent of workers in the state said they were concerned about losing their job. Meanwhile, 36 percent of survey respondents say they are considering returning to school. Of those, 24 percent are employed and would like to enhance their careers, and 22 percent want to train for a new career, according to the second annual Washington State Workplace Confidence Survey conducted by Harris/Decima.

The survey indicated that 26 percent of Washingtonians indicated they would be very likely to change careers if nothing stood in their way, up from 19 percent in 2009.

“The lack of workplace confidence is understandable considering Washington was hit hard last year by the failing economy and went through one of its roughest years ever from a jobs standpoint,” said Wendy Cullen, vice president of employer development for Everest College.

The survey also found that workplace anxiety levels continue to be high, with nearly two-thirds of survey respondents claiming they suffer some form of work-related stress. The top stress factor was pay (26 percent), followed by fear of losing their job (17 percent).

The survey was conducted March 4-10 with 504 employed residents surveyed by telephone.

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