Employees are largely happier at work than they were before the pandemic

The UK workforce is largely happier than it was pre-pandemic, according to a poll from Right Management. For female employees, the main reason for their increased contentment is that the pandemic gave them a newfound appreciation for their job and made them realise that they took their job for granted previously (41 percent). On the other hand, it was reuniting with colleagues that led to an improved mood among their male counterparts (39 percent).

The study of 2,000 UK employees highlighted the importance of women supporting each other in the workplace, as 46 percent of females found support and friendship from their female colleagues to be a key contributor to their happiness at work and 93 percent deem it ‘important’. Comparatively, only 27 percent of females find the support of their male co-workers makes them happy at work.

Having the opportunity to grow and develop at work is twice as important for women as it is for men. This drive to step up and take control of their career progression comes in spite of almost a quarter (23 percent) of female colleagues reporting that expected workloads should be improved.

According to the report, the female workforce has reported a renewed determination to work hard, as 46 percent affirmed that the pandemic has motivated them to achieve career goals, compared with 36 percent of males. Working from home helped UK employees re-evaluate their lives for the better, according to 34 percent of female and 30 percent of male employees.

This positivity and renewed motivation comes despite 37 percent of UK employees feeling “unsure” or in disbelief that the glass ceiling is cracking whatsoever. Interestingly, when asked whether they believe they are paid what they’re worth, only a quarter of female employees replied yes, compared with 32 percent of males. The study also revealed that male employees are 19 percent more likely to start looking for a job in the next three months.

Amy Smyth, Head of the European Centre of Excellence for Career Management at Right Management, said: “The pandemic took its toll on so many people in myriad ways, some of which may not manifest themselves for some time to come. The pandemic and its devastating impact provided people with the opportunity to re-evaluate what’s important and the UK workforce has bolstered its sense of determination to progress in their lives and their jobs or careers, and they are happier as a result of that.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of female relationships within the workplace, and the sense of community women benefit from when working together. Unlike that familiar trope of women pulling up the ladder behind them as they progress their careers, female support within the workplace is critical for women to be successful – and peer-to-peer coaching or mentoring relationships are fundamental to help with the progression to gender parity. This International Women’s Day, I urge you to shout out a woman that has made an impact on your career, and think about how you can reach your hand down the ladder to support another.”