6 out of 10 New Zealanders were happy at work, new research from recruitment website Seek has found out.
The findings indicate that satisfaction levels are notably higher among the Boomer generation, where approximately 7 to 8 out of 10 express contentment with their jobs. In contrast, Generation Z and Millennials demonstrate the lowest levels of workplace happiness.
According to Seek country manager Rob Clark, the key drivers of happiness for Generation Z employees were salary, the workplace’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance factors (ESG), a sense of purpose, workload, and work-life balance.
“ESG ranks number two in terms of what would make them happy, but it’s one of the factors they’re least happy with currently. We see a disconnect between what makes them happy and what’s happening in work,” Clark said.
He expressed hopes that the happiness of young people would gradually increase over time.
Salary consistently ranked as one of the key factors influencing happiness, even though not everyone was completely satisfied with their own pay.
“The youngest generation is probably paid the lowest overall; they’re in the workforce at a time when there is a very high cost of living, housing, and all the inflationary pressures. The unemployment rate is highest in that cohort, too. There are a lot of factors driving where they’re at,” Clark added.
He also mentioned that it likely comes as no surprise that older workers tend to be the happiest. Experienced employees generally have more disposable income and are probably better equipped to manage changes compared to their younger counterparts.
Meanwhile, workers in banking and finance reported an 80% satisfaction rate, while those in accounting had a happiness level of seven out of ten. In contrast, healthcare and medical professionals, as well as those in hospitality and tourism, experienced the lowest levels of happiness, averaging just five out of ten. Clark said both industries are experiencing “tough times,” and that could be influencing the result.
