A study by Indeed conducted in 2022 found that more than a third of UK workers were unhappy in their jobs. People Management Magazine instead puts the percentage of workers registering as unhappy at work as much higher – up to 90%. If this is the case, the UK would rank as one of the unhappiest workforces in Europe and the World.
The results came from Indeed’s Work Happiness Score – which measured how people felt at work and why – it displayed date from more than 1,800 organisations in the UK across 25 different sectors.
Further research discovered that the average worker spends a fifth of every year feeling unhappy in their role and that a significant number of employees start to feel unhappy less than half a year into their new job. Not only that, but employees dissatisfaction spills also over into their private lives and can have a knock on effect on their mental and physical health.
Studies have found that work stress can have a massive impact on how people function outside of their workplace. This can lead to staff feeling tired, anxious and lacking in energy resulting in a drop in productivity in the workplace.
There is a myriad of reasons why the UK workforce is struggling with feelings of unhappiness at work. The past few years have seen significant pressures on the business community from national events such as the pandemic to a worsening macroeconomic situation.
The case for businesses adopting well considered and effective employee wellbeing policies and strategies has never been more urgent.
The benefits of having a robust wellbeing programme in place are significant and will help employees to feel happier, more engaged and proud of where they work.
The cumulative effect of this on businesses is significant both in terms of productivity and the bottom line. In fact, a recent study by Vitality and the CBI found that almost seven in ten businesses that have introduced health and wellbeing policies have seen increases in employee productivity.
The same study found that staff wellbeing is seen as a top priority, with 64% of employees saying it is seen as key business aim alongside boosting profits.
There is so much out there for businesses to look at. Online platforms, experts, incentives and remuneration. The need to prioritise staff has never been more acute and more must be done across the UK business community to turn the tide of workplace unhappiness.