- Nearly two fifths (39.6%) happy in their current jobs
- Two fifths (41.8%) of 25-34 year olds are confident about career opportunities in 2012
- Research found strong regional variation in levels of workplace optimism
At the end of a tough year for the UK job market, new research from Badenoch & Clark, the recruitment consultancy, has found that nearly two fifths (39.6%) of UK workers are happy in their current jobs. But with 2012 now upon us, almost half (47.3%) are unsure of what the New Year has in store for their career prospects.
As the festive holiday signalled the end of another difficult year for UK employers and employees, Badenoch & Clark’s final Happiness at Work Index for 2011* showed that workplace happiness increased from its low at the end of the summer, when only a third (36.5%) of workers reported high morale. Nonetheless, workplace happiness still remains lower than at the beginning of 2011, when almost half (46.6%) stated they were happy in their jobs.
News of redundancies and pay freezes has become all too common for the UK workforce over the past 12 months - and employees remain divided in their optimism for career prospects in the New Year. While almost half (47.3%) are unsure of what the future holds, just over a quarter (27%) are hopeful for further career opportunities in 2012. Younger employees were the most optimistic: two fifths (41.8%) of 25-34 year olds and over three fifths (62.9%) of 16-24 year olds are confident that they will have opportunities to enhance their career in 2012.
Badenoch & Clark’s research found strong regional variation in levels of workplace optimism. One third of employees in the East Midlands and London (34.6% and 33.3% respectively) expressed the greatest hope for 2012; and just under a third of employees in Yorkshire and Scotland (32.3% and 30.8% respectively) believe that their career prospects will improve in 2012. Workers in the North East are the most uncertain about the 2012 jobs market, with three fifths (61.9%) - twice the number of those in other areas of the country - genuinely unsure of what the next twelve months will hold.
Nicola Linkleter, Managing Director of Badenoch & Clark said:
“It is encouraging to see that workforce morale increased slightly towards the end of 2011. Many employees have had a very difficult last 12 months, contextualised by redundancies, high inflation and pay freezes. However these findings do seem to suggest there is a glimmer of growing hope as 2012 begins.
“The Government’s recent research findings into the nation’s happiness suggest that, on the whole, people are happy in the UK; nonetheless, satisfaction with work ranked in the bottom three categories. Whilst employers are operating in very difficult economic conditions, it is important they recognise that their employees’ morale can be easily affected by the high level decisions they are making on pay and benefits, or training and talent management, for example.
“With the UK’s workforce divided over their prospects for career progression in 2012, companies must now make a conscious effort to communicate their plans for careers and ensure employees feel that their work has value, and is valued, by their employer.”
