A survey shows that many Germans are happy in their jobs. But there is room for improvement: some would even voluntarily forego their salary in order to increase their happiness at work. Which factors are important for this?
It is often not easy to say how happy people are in their job. The “Work Happiness Report” by the company Awork and the market research institute Appinio tries to make Germans’ happiness at work measurable. To do this, 1,000 respondents were asked to rate how happy they currently are with their work on a scale of 1 to 10.
On average, happiness at work is a solid 6.9 – and therefore slightly higher than in the previous year’s survey (back then 6.7). Overall, three out of four respondents placed themselves in the top half of the happiness scale and only a quarter were rather unhappy. Almost one in ten is even completely happy and awards the full ten happiness points. The most frequently mentioned value is 8.
Exchange money for happiness
However, many respondents clearly still see room for improvement when it comes to happiness at work. 73 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to give up part of their salary in order to be happier in their job. Astonishing: 19 percent would even give up more than half of their salary for more happiness.
The survey, conducted in February, only covers knowledge workers and, according to Awork, is representative of all people who have a desk job and work in a team (not freelancers or solo self-employed people). Those surveyed who work in the tech industry are the happiest, followed by retail. Those working in healthcare, finance and the creative industries are the unhappiest.
Biggest drawback: poor leadership
According to the survey, the biggest factor in unhappiness is poor leadership. Poor team culture and a lack of communication of contexts, goals and decisions are also often cited as factors that reduce happiness at work.
The report says that one of the factors that particularly increase happiness at work is flexibility in the place of work, i.e. the possibility of working from home. “A full office presence requirement makes you unhappy”, says the study. Those who enjoy the privilege of a four-day week are also happier than average.
Source: Stern
