Job dissatisfaction highest amongst Gen Y workers

Hot on the heels of the news this week that generation Y workers are more risk averse than older employees, it seems they’re also more dissatisfied with their jobs than other age groups. A new survey by Office Angels shows that over a quarter (27 per cent) of 25-34 year olds are unhappy in their current job, compared to just a fifth (20 per cent) of those aged over 55. This backs up the Monster.com survey, which found more than half of Gen Y employees (55 per cent) see their current employer as a mere stopping off point in their career path.

Office Angels’ research also reveals that over four in ten UK workers are happy in their current job and happiness fluctuates between different industry sectors as well, with a significant proportion of people working in the arts (67 per cent), professional services (53 per cent) and education (47 per cent), claiming to be happy.

Regionally, happiness is highest in Edinburgh, where nearly half (46 per cent) of workers report they are happy. In stark contrast, happiness levels dip in Nottingham and across Wales where over a third (35 per cent) of workers claims to be unhappy, 8 per cent more than the national average.

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”.