Kingsbridge

Hairdressers are a cut above the rest when it comes to being happy in the workplace, a study finds.

In contrast, secretaries/PAs/admin workers are the unhappiest in their jobs, according to this year's City and Guilds 'Happiness Index'.

Hairdressers had an average happiness rating of 8.7, followed by beauty therapists (8) and childcare workers (7.8).

A cheerful 57 per cent of hairdressers admitted that they look forward to returning to work after a day off.

Doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians and builders also scored highly on the 'Happiness Index'.

Secretaries/PAs/admin workers had an average satisfaction rating of a lowly 6.1, City and Guilds found.

Caterers, insurance brokers, bankers, lawyers, financial advisors, teachers and nurses were also at the bottom of the job satisfaction table.

Overall, the survey revealed that nearly a third of people (32 per cent) claimed that they were not particularly happy at work.

So what factors make us whistle while we work? Nineteen per cent of employees would like to "do something worthwhile" and almost one in six (15 per cent) just want a more flexible workday.

However, the report also shows a need to focus on training at work, with personal development identified as a key contributor to happiness - 8 per cent of those surveyed cited that training and development would make their role more satisfying.

The survey also shows that employers are, as one might suspect, out of touch when it comes to gauging employee happiness - but not in the way you might think!

Bosses scored their workers' happiness lower than workers rated it themselves. And when asked what they felt was key to a happier workforce, a quarter of employers (26 per cent) said financial incentive, while only 17 per cent of their employees thought the same.

Chris Humphries, director general of City and Guilds, said: "When asked to rate their workplace in terms of happiness, almost a third of people earning in the £10-£15k bracket gave their job a 10 out of 10.

TOP FIVE HAPPIEST PROFESSIONS:
1.) Hairdresser
2.) Beauty Therapist
3.) Early Years/Childcare
4.) Doctor/Dentist
5.) Plumber

"Compare that to workers in the £40-£45k income bracket, where less than 5 per cent gave their workplace a 10.

"This indicates, and it may come as a surprise to some, that financial reward doesn't always mean a happier working environment or employee."

The City and Guilds 'Happiness Index' shows a clear link between workplace happiness and training, claims Mr Humphries.

"A quarter of all UK workers have, or would, leave a position because of a lack of training and these results clearly demonstrate that some of the happiest workers are those who feel they have a lot of opportunities for professional development," he said.

"It's about time employers woke up to that fact as we all know a happy workforce is a productive workforce. Moreover, investing in training makes workers feel appreciated and, consequently, more loyal."

The UK's 20 happiest jobs to work in, according to City and Guilds:

Hairdresser
Average happiness rating: 8.7

Beauty Therapist
Average happiness rating: 8

Early Years/Childcare
Average happiness rating: 7.8

Doctor/Dentist
Average happiness rating: 7.5

Plumber
Average happiness rating: 7.4

Electrician
Average happiness rating: 7.3

Construction
Average happiness rating: 7.2

Leisure/Tourism
Average happiness rating: 7.2

Media/Creative
Average happiness rating: 7.2

Accountant
Average happiness rating: 7

Law
Average happiness rating: 6.8

Marketing/PR/Advertising
Average happiness rating: 6.8

Nursing
Average happiness rating: 6.8

Teaching/Education
Average happiness rating: 6.7

Automotive
Average happiness rating: 6.6

Human Resources
Average happiness rating: 6.5

Banking/Insurance/Finance
Average happiness rating: 6.4

Catering
Average happiness rating: 6.3

Secretarial/PA/Admin
Average happiness rating: 6.1

The article Hairdressers 'happiest at work' originally appeared on 999 Today