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If you're happy and you know it...
At totaljobs we spend a lot of time thinking about work, jobs and careers and what people want out of them so that we can improve the jobseeking experience. A key motivation for changing jobs is of course to improve job satisfaction levels. And getting to grips with what influences job satisfaction could help figure out how to improve your lot.
We surveyed over 500 jobseekers starting in Scotland to see what they thought about work and happiness.
Of those surveyed 98% agreed that they spend such a large proportion of their lives working; that it's as important to be as happy at work as they are at home! Conversely misery at work equalled an unhappy home life.
The story so far...
- Over a third (38%) of Scottish jobseekers say work is the thing they'd most like to change about their life.
- Over half of the people surveyed (57%) confess that their job "makes them unhappy"
- A third (34%) said that their personal relationships have ended or suffered due to work whilst two per cent admitted they have even worried about work during, ahem, moments of passion!
- In addition, 65% of workers find that they can relax more at weekends when they're happy at work, and over half again (51%) believe that being happy at work improves their personal relationships.
After taking a long hard look at what jobseekers told us were the main reasons their personal work happy-factor might be a little droopy; here's a few suggestions that might help.
Prevention is the best cure
The most highly related contributor to being happier in the workplace, according to those we surveyed, is getting on with colleagues. With 65 per cent of workers ranking this top of the list; maintaining healthy work relations is as important as the work itself. From simple gestures like getting the teas in to recognising a job well done and mentioning it to the boss, gracious actions can make all the difference.
Green commutes
Many respondents also said that an easy commute to their job was a major factor in their work happiness levels. Car and school run sharing along with hot-desking and home working; are all ways of reducing travel time to and from work and help the environment into the bargain.
Bottom up
Annoying bosses and disorganised management were also causes of work misery. It's a bold step but often telling a manager that there's a problem is well received as it presents them with an opportunity to do something about it, i.e. manage! But a note of caution; this style of bottom up communication works best when managers are presented with an issue and prompted to find a solution because it empowers them - presenting them with the problem and the solution may be construed as 'too big for your boots' behaviour.
To find out more on how to improve your work happiness levels take a look at our Career Doctor feature. We've answered numerous queries from jobseekers all in the pursuit of happiness. Or you can ask the Career Doctor whatever's on your mind simply email her here: careerdoctor@totaljobs.com.
If you'd like to take our work happiness challenge why not complete the survey yourself.
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