Ryan FowlerOak Engage’s latest research, involving over 1,200 British employees, sheds light on the prevalent issue of workplace stress, with 47% of participants reporting feeling stressed or overwhelmed at work. The Employee Happiness Survey uncovers that 26% of respondents are unhappy in their current roles, and a staggering 75% have encountered toxic work environments.
Work-life balance emerged as a crucial factor for employee happiness, cited by 46% of those surveyed. Other significant aspects contributing to workplace contentment include job security (32%), atmosphere and relationships (31%), and flexibility (30%).
Additionally, the survey highlights a lack of recognition for employee achievements, with 33% of respondents feeling unnoticed. Moreover, 16% rated their organisation’s communication as poor or terrible, pointing to a need for improvement in internal dialogue.
Will Murray, CEO of Oak Engage, emphasised the importance of acknowledging employee contributions: “It’s important to celebrate employee achievements, no matter how small. This will build momentum and keep employees motivated. Recognition is critical when it comes to boosting employee morale. Through our research we wanted to highlight the importance of employee wellbeing and the need for businesses to create an environment where employees feel valued, understood and connected to their work. This is essential for fostering lasting happiness and productivity.”
Murray also stressed the significance of employee happiness: “Employee happiness is not just beneficial, it’s critical. By prioritising employee wellbeing and creating a supportive work atmosphere, companies can not only enhance job satisfaction but also drive innovation and growth. From our own research, we can confirm there has been a slight positive shift in employee attitudes to work. However, with the persistence of trends such as ‘quiet quitting’, ‘rage applying’ and ‘act your wage’, it’s clear there’s still work that needs to be done.”
