Employee happiness varies by industry, according to a recent survey, with education workers among the nation's happiest, and those in mining and agriculture as some of the least pleased.
Research by CareerBliss suggests mining and agriculture employees are unhappy partly because they believe their skills cannot translate to other jobs, limiting their options. They may also have lower salaries, in many cases, and are not optimistic about growth opportunities.
Nonprofit employees and many working in the software and online industries were unhappy. In the case of nonprofits, many cited fears about job security, while tech workers were concerned with growth opportunities.
Similarly, employees who were happier cited a variety of reasons, depending on their industry. Education workers' happiness, for example, resulted largely from their relationships with co-workers and bosses. Similarly, government employees reported being happy with their daily tasks and fellow staff.
The research suggests that each industry has tendencies which hold true for many employers, impacting worker happiness. Employers who can improve on an industry's weaker points may be able to stand out, attracting workers and gaining their loyalty.
Human resource and employee benefit consultants may be able to help employers determine whether and why their employees are unhappy. Knowing the reason, their expertise may prove valuable in reversing that attitude and strengthening workers' engagement and wellness, improving productivity and results.
