Most people will spend 90,000 hours, or a third of their lives at work. Given we spend so much time at work, our professional lives should bring us happiness and satisfaction. However, for many Australians, this is not the case.
According to a study by Seek, nearly half of Australians are currently unhappy at work.
According to the inaugural Workplace Happiness Index, which surveyed over 1,200 workers from various industries all over Australia, 45 percent of Australians reported being unhappy at work.
So what factors influence happiness at work and what are the impacts of happiness at work?
Most important factors in happiness at work according to survey respondents
Survey respondents identified these factors as most important to their happiness at work:
· Having a purpose at work
· Having a good manager
· Their day-to-day responsibilities
· Their company culture
· Being able to manage their stress levels
When workers were asked what made them unhappy at work, senior leadership and salary were the two main factors most commonly identified. These were followed by stress and career progression.
Impacts of happiness at work
For workplaces, the happier workers are, the more productive they are.
Meanwhile, being happy at work can improve an individual’s mental health. Those who are happy are more likely to live a healthy, happy life.
On the flip side, those who are unhappy at work are 83 percent more likely to change jobs, highlighting the important role happiness plays in our professional lives.
Who is most happy at work?
According to the study, workers were broadly happy with the location of their work, their colleagues, responsibilities and work-life balance.
Baby Boomers were identified as the most happy at work, with 61% saying they were happy at work. Meanwhile, 50% of Generation Z workers said they were happy at work, making them the least happy generation, according to the study.
There’s good news for those seeking a career in the public service.
The study identified government workers as the most satisfied in their roles, with 71 percent reporting they felt happy at work.
For many, a government career offers secure employment, great pay and benefits, work-life balance and aligns with their personal values and mission.
If you are looking for a rewarding and satisfying career, the public service could be for you.
What to do if you are feeling unhappy at work
If you are feeling unhappy at work, you can initiate a conversation with your manager. If you know what it is that is making you unhappy at work, it will make it a lot easier to have this conversation.
If you are concerned about the leadership of your workplace, you might discuss how you like to be managed. Alternatively, if you are concerned about work-life balance, you might want to discuss hybrid working opportunities or setting boundaries. Maybe you want to put a pay rise or better working conditions on the agenda.
In many cases, however, unhappiness at work can be a sign that it might be time to try something new.
Everyone deserves to be happy at work. If you are feeling unhappy at work, now could be the time to make a move.
If you are considering a career change, Public Service Resumes is here to support you. We offer a range of services, including interview skills coaching and career development coaching, to help you achieve your career goals.
Article References
Coade, M (16 October 2024) Frank and Fearless survey: Public service job satisfaction touchpoints unveiled, The Mandarin, accessed 22 October 2024.
Neillson, K & Dunn, H (18 December 2023) Infographic: How we spend our time at work HRM, accessed 22 October 2024.