The research was conducted by consultancy and HR technology provider ETS. Survey findings also show that 88% percent of workers enjoy their job and 87% intend to still be working for the same organisation in a year's time. But respondents remain worried about job security, with only 66% feeling that their job is secure.
Although it usually achieves a notoriously low figure in employee surveys, and despite widespread pay freezes during the economic downturn, satisfaction with basic pay is up, finds ETS. Some 54% of people believe their basic pay is fair for the work they do - an increase of 7% on January 2010. The number of employees reporting themselves happy with the hours they work climbed to 85% (up from 81% last January). More than three-quarters (77%) of respondents are happy with their work-life balance (up from 73%).
These statistics are particularly interesting, given TUC data in February revealing that 5.26 million workers (21% of the workforce) regularly work unpaid overtime. Companies have seemingly acted on the need for clearer communication around performance appraisals and the sharing of organisational goals. Many have added such clarity by automating performance management systems. The result is that 88% of workers say they fully understand how their role fits into the overall objectives of their organisation, up from 77%.
Eight out of ten respondents (79%) report that they're happy with the training and development at their current employer (up from 72%). And just under three-quarters (74%) are happy with opportunities for career development - a key driver of engagement for talent (up from 68%). Hannah Stratford, head of business psychology at ETS, said: "There are certainly some positives to take from our research. The uplift in results shows a more optimistic and positive mood among workers and suggests that organisations are addressing key employee issues and are creating a better working environment.
"The level of happiness among UK employees is a particularly hot topic at present, with prime minister David Cameron unveiling his plans for a 'happiness index'. Organisations must continue to invest in employees and HR processes to engage and retain their top talent and maximise business performance." The research comes from the ETS employee benchmark data, which was updated in February 2011. It features the views of 185,000 employees working in large private sector organisations (500+ employees) across the financial services, leisure, manufacturing, professional services and retail industries.
