Today (20th March) is the International Day of Happiness, but are UK employees happy in the workplace?

A international study on employee happiness by recruitment firm Robert Half found that the UK has one of the lowest levels of staff satisfaction globally. The happiest workers in the UK are in Yorkshire.

Findings from the research showed:

• Employees who see their work as worthwhile are nearly 2.5 times happier than those who do not - showing having a sense of purpose at work to be an important factor in overall happiness
• On average, workers spend nearly six hours a week bored at work
• Feeling appreciated (50 per cent) being treated with fairness and respect (51per cent) and feeling proud (51 per cent) were some of the top drivers of employee happiness

Matt Weston, managing director of Robert Half, said: "Every now and then, we could all use a little something to boost our happiness. In fact, given the UK has one of the lowest levels of staff satisfaction, ranking sixth in our international study of employee happiness, we need to focus on the little steps at work that we can take to create more happiness in our lives.

"Employee happiness is closely connected to organisational productivity and innovation. Therefore, finding a sense of purpose at work can help employees feel more engaged, creating a positive and high performing work environment. While happiness is an individual experience, and no one-size-fits all solution, being part of something meaningful is a universal factor that is proven to directly affect employee happiness".

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk