UK has one of the most unhappy workforces, and the science and pharmaceutical sector is no exception, says Kelly Services
The Global Workforce Index 2006, an international workplace survey carried out by employment agency, Kelly Services, has found that British workers are among the unhappiest in the world.
48% of people claimed to be unhappy with their current job, and out of 28 countries, the UK ranked equal 23rd with Thailand.
Denmark has the happiest workforce, with 74% of employees saying they are satisfied with their jobs.
Mexico and Sweden followed with 71%.
The picture was slightly better among science and pharmaceutical employees, however, as only 14% said that they were unhappy.
In general, UK bosses fared better, receiving modest praise from workers who awarded them an average score of 6.7 out of 10.
UK bosses were rated 11th amongst the 28 countries, the best bosses being found in Mexico, USA and Canada, and the worst in Sweden, Italy and Turkey.
Employers were rated on four attributes - communication, leadership, team spirit and delegation skills; areas which UK employers did not excel in, but fared reasonably.
Workers felt that bosses were best at delegating effectively, but weak on the other three qualities.
Respondents in the science and pharmaceutical sector gave their bosses the third highest rating, after business services and local government.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index sought the views of approximately 70,000 people in 28 countries including almost 6,000 in the UK.
The survey also found that:.
The UK's teachers are happier with their jobs than any other UK industry sector, and place their bosses in the top three nationally.
63% of UK teachers were happy or very happy, and bosses in teaching scored an average of 6.8 out of a possible 10.
UK workers employed in transport and distribution are the least happy (25%).
In research conducted in October 2006, this industry also reported high levels of discrimination.
44% claimed they had experienced discrimination when applying for a job, positioning it among the bottom three industry sectors, while 35% said they experienced discrimination whilst working within the last five years.
Wales has the happiest workforce (60%) with Scotland (58%) and London (57%) following closely behind.
Northerners are the least content at work, with 24% claiming they're unhappy in their current role.
The under-20 age group were kindest to their bosses, awarding them an average score of 6.8.
Those aged between 45-54 proved tougher, awarding their bosses an average score of 6.1.
A staggering 43% of employees claimed their boss does not reward them for a job well done.
Among those who do show praise and recognition, there was surprisingly little difference between men and women.
58% of women show their gratitude to their employees compared to 56% of men.
The findings also revealed that apart from the 55+ age group, which showed a slight preference for a male boss, people in general do not mind whether the boss is male or female, 78% saying that it made no difference.
Commenting on the figures, Audrey McCulloch-Aziz, UK head of Kelly Scientific Resources and Kelly Engineering Resources, said: "The survey has revealed both good and bad news for the UK.
"While we may be one of the unhappiest workforces in Europe, we still have confidence in our bosses, believing they are doing an acceptable job.
"It is not, therefore, our bosses who are making us disgruntled.
"It is more likely to be our long working hours, the highest in Europe, or perhaps even our long commutes to work.
"It is encouraging, however, to see that employees have an impartiality to male and female bosses, demonstrating how both men and women are excelling in leadership roles.
"It is important to try and find what makes a contented and motivated workforce because workers who enjoy their work will make a more effective contribution to the performance of the organisation.
"If we listen to what workers say is important to them, they want a workplace with good morale, stimulating work, a degree of autonomy, and one where they receive feedback from their bosses."
