A pay rise certainly helps to keep us content in our jobs, but in fact the no.1 factor for remaining happy at work is whether we have a good relationship with our work colleagues.
- 70% say their 9-to-5 buddies’ are crucial to enjoy a happy working life
- Two thirds of people would turn down a job offer with pay-rise to stay working with people they liked and respected
- Men are less concerned with getting on with colleagues than women are
- 65% say being happy at work makes them more productive in their job
New research among 1000 UK workers by Jobsite.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading online recruiters, reveals that 70% of employees see their 9-to-5 buddies¹ as the most important factor in enjoying their job. In comparison only 55% thought money was the most important thing.
The average worker spends approximately 40 hours a week at work* (Monday to Friday), which is the same amount of time as we spend with families / partners at home.**
Interestingly men were less concerned with their 9-to-5 buddies, and more inclined to take money over good colleagues with 42% of males saying they would choose a higher paid job working with people they didn’t get on with. In comparison, only 26% of women said they’d prefer a higher salary to good colleagues; placing a higher value on the people’ element of their jobs.
Age and experience were key in swaying responses. 74% of employees aged 45-54 said they’d prefer to work with people they respected on their current salary, rather than take a pay rise and work with people they didn’t like. In contrast, just over a third of people aged 25-34 would choose a pay rise over working with people they get on with or liked; a decision perhaps linked with the need for faster progression and movement in the early stage of careers in order to get on the property ladder and start a family.
The importance of building great working environments is just as important to businesses as it is to employees. The relationships between colleagues can be directly related to productivity of the workforce, with 65% of people believing that being happy at work made them more productive in their job.
Top 10 Factors For Workplace Happiness
- Working with people I get on with
- Feeling valued
- Good money
- Good hours
- Good holiday and benefits
- A boss who I get on well with
- Low day-to-day stress
- Decent commute
- Productive work environment
- Workplace location
