The secret to happiness at work

A new report has revealed what’s driving satisfaction at work and what positions are most happy. Judging by the data, money isn’t everything.

Employee happiness should be a consideration for any employer, and a report from Compare the Market has revealed exactly what workers across the world are after:

1. Work/life balance (15 per cent)
2. Positive difference to others (13.2 per cent)
3. Well paid (13.1 per cent)
4. Respected and appreciated by others (13.1 per cent)
5. Great location (12.9 per cent)

With the cost of living putting strain on employees and businesses alike, it’s interesting to see money beaten by purpose and flexibility. This is a great opportunity for employers to save money and promote wellbeing by providing non-monetary benefits to help keep skilled workers in the door.

Thankfully, most people are happy in their role. In fact, the most satisfied jobs were listed as:

1. Business owners (86.5 per cent)
2. Senior management (78.9 per cent)
3. Home duties (73.3 per cent)
4. Property (72.7 per cent)
5. Assistant (72.7 per cent)

Comparatively, the positions with the highest levels of unhappiness were recorded:

1. Public servant (18.8 per cent)
2. Assistant (18.2 per cent)
3. Analytics (17.1 per cent)
4. Domestic services (15.4 per cent)
5. Communications (12.9 per cent)

Interestingly, assistants made both the happy and unhappy top five. This could fall to the specific employer, reinforcing just how much sway an organisation can have on wellbeing.

Unhappy employees are less likely to stick around. With persistent skills shortages affecting a variety of industries, stamping these issues out should be top priority.

According to the data, the top professions considering quitting were:

1. Senior management (71.9 per cent)
2. Hospitality (60.3 per cent)
3. Domestic services (53.8 per cent)
4. Self-employed (52 per cent)
5. Manufacturing (50 per cent)

“Most workers are happy at their current job and prioritised a good work/life balance than good pay,” Compare the Market’s executive general manager of general insurance, Adrian Taylor, said.

“However, dissatisfied employees typically exhibit less safe work behaviours. Therefore, public liability insurance is one of the most important considerations for businesses to potentially help avoid crippling losses in the event of an accident involving a third party.”

“Amid rising cost-of-living pressures, it has never been more important to save money, so it pays to compare on oft-forgotten things such as insurance policies.”

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.