Over four in ten (42%) UK workers are happy in their current job, mirroring this time last year when 41% of people described themselves as happy, according to research from Office Angels.
Despite the absence of nationwide events – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, London 2012 Olympics and the Paralympic Games – which created excitement in 2012, the recruiter’s Happiness at Work tracker suggests morale and job satisfaction remain constant.
Happiness is highest in Edinburgh, where nearly half (46%) of workers report they are happy.
In stark contrast, happiness levels dip in Nottingham and across Wales where over a third (35%) of workers claim to be unhappy, 8% more than the national average.
Nationally, generation Y workers are more likely to say they not satisfied, with over a quarter (27%) of 25-34 year olds unhappy in their current job, compared to just a fifth (20%) of those aged over 55.
Happiness fluctuates between different industry sectors as well, with a significant proportion of people working in the arts (67%), professional services (53%) and education (47%) claiming to be happy.
Steven Kirkpatrick, Managing Director at Office Angels said:
“Our research shows that overall happiness amongst the UK workforce is very similar to this time last year.
“The prospect of celebratory events in 2012 built excitement and goodwill amongst workers from the outset. It is now heartening to see a positive, happy feeling persisting amongst UK workers, even though these events are in the past.
“Fluctuating levels of happiness across the country suggests more can be done to boost morale and enhance job satisfaction. To help create a ground-swell of happiness, employers must remember their role in fostering a positive working environment which will in turn create a more productive workforce”.