The Omnia Group, a management and personnel consulting firm based in Tampa, Fla., surveyed business owners and executives asking how their employees were handling the tough economic times.

The response? Nearly a third said their employees' reaction was exceptional. They must be doing something right. The rest fared as follows:

-- Better than expected: 26%

-- Not too bad: 37%

-- Less than positive: 8%

The key, Omnia officials said, is how employers handle the downturn. Do it correctly, and employees react positively. Make a mistake, and morale suffers. "It is important that we understand what companies are doing to manage the recession and if it is working with their employees," said Omnia CEO John Caswell in a statement. "The majority of employees, when partnered with a company, will respond to tough times with resolve and determination."