I’ve written before about research supporting the importance of employee satisfaction and happiness. I just came across more recent research conducted in the United Kingdom by Chiumento on Happiness at Work. (You can e-mail Chiumento for a copy of the report.)
Here are the top ten factors (ranked in order) that impact employee happiness. Note: while these findings are similar to previous research here in the U.S., they may not be applicable in other countries.
What Makes Us Happy at Work
- Friendly, supportive colleagues
- Enjoyable work
- Good boss or line manager
- Good work-life balance
- Varied work
- Belief that we’re doing something worthwhile
- Feeling that what we do makes a difference
- Being part of a successful team
- Recognition for our achievements
- Competitive salary.
What Makes Us Unhappy at Work
- Lack of communication from the top
- Uncompetitive salary
- No recognition for achievements
- Poor boss/line manager
- Little personal development
- Ideas being ignored
- Lack of opportunity for good performers
- Lack of benefits
- Work not enjoyable
- Not feeling that what I do makes a difference.
These factors also relate to employee engagement - measured in the research by how much employees care about their organization’s success and how much they feel they personally contribute to this success. According to Chiumento, “If you treat your staff fairly and ensure good lines of communication you will help them feel happier which in turn encourages them to give more discretionary effort.”
More on this in my next post …
I had completely forgotten about your blog. This stuff rocks. I once worked for a company whose supreme leader was a complete raging arsehole. I would go home every day stressed out and dreaded driving there in the morning. It sucked. I hated working there. I still get nightmares about it. I just went through your list, and every item would have gotten a check mark except for the "no benefits". (Well, they didn't offer dental, so I guess on some level...):
Lack of communication from the top
Uncompetitive salary
No recognition for achievements
Poor boss/line manager
Little (no) personal development
Ideas being ignored
Lack of opportunity for good performers
Lack of benefits
Work not enjoyable
Not feeling that what I do makes a difference.
Very nice.
Posted by: olivier Blanchard | June 19, 2007 at 05:11 PM