Wrike’s Happiness Index polled 4,000 workers in the US, UK, Germany, and France. The research found that while there is a growing trend for remote working, it is not currently an option for many UK workers. UK respondents ranked ‘the ability to work remotely’ as their second most important work driver – narrowly behind the importance of ‘doing meaningful work’ – but a quarter said that their company does not offer the option of working remotely. Over half (56 percent) of the happiest workforce, Americans, said their company’s mission and vision strongly resonates with them, by comparison to just over a third (36 percent) of UK respondents.
Patricia DuChene, GM EMEA at Wrike, said,
A happy workforce is a productive workforce and it is unacceptable that nearly a fifth of UK employees are unhappy with their job. Executives need to pay closer attention to the most important factors that foster a healthy company culture and one that supports life-work balance, especially in areas that are well within leadership’s control. Adopting new technologies can play key role in workplace happiness because they make collaboration seamless, regardless of an employee’s location. These technologies help employees better understand the value of their work by connecting individual tasks and projects to greater company-wide objectives and overarching mission.
The survey also found that nearly two-fifths (39 percent) of UK employees do not like socializing with colleagues and only attend work-sponsored social events because they feel obligated. This extends through to their lunch breaks where a quarter admit to eating at their desk and 15 percent are on social media. Only 23 percent take 30 minutes to eat with their colleagues, compared to 39 percent of French workers, and 36 percent of German workers.
Patricia Duchene added,
We spend so many hours of our lives at work that it is critical companies make the office a place where employees want to be – and not an environment where they feel pressured to do things that may make them uncomfortable. A welcoming company culture coupled with a strong vision and mission give people something to rally around and a reason to want to be there – physically or virtually – everyday.
Other survey highlights from UK respondents include: Over half (54 percent) of describe diversity in their workplace as average; Only a third (29 percent) rate their relationship with their manager as very good; Most (59 percent) swear in the workplace
*from Wrike
Interested in designing roles that increase happiness and productivity in the workplace? We recommend this Job Design for Good Work and Increased Productivity training day.
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
