Over half of workers unhappy with jobs

THE Irish are the least committed workers in Europe, with over 50% not happy in their job.

A study of worker satisfaction in the world’s leading economies also found that one in two Irish employees would not recommend their job to anyone else.

The survey was carried out among over 360,000 employees from 37 of the world’s largest economies, including 20 European countries.

The results show Ireland is bottom of the European league for job satisfaction at 55%, followed by Britain (59%), Hungary (61%), Poland (66%) and France (67%). The report, entitled Employee Commitment in Europe: Characteristics, Causes and Consequences, was conducted from 1999 to 2001 by International Survey Research (ISR).

Researchers said companies with committed workers were more profitable. Over the three years covered by the study, net profits rose by 2% in businesses where employees viewed them favourably.

Companies with less committed employees saw net profits fall by 1%.

Monick O’Connor, of the ISR, said because of the level of choice in Ireland, due to economic growth, workers want more from their jobs.

“Ireland has experienced strong economic growth over the past decade and buoyant market conditions have given rise to a choice of attractive employers.

“Employees now expect more, and can demand more, from the organisation they choose to work for.

“If employers want to successfully attract and retain talent, they need to focus on matching the job experience they offer with employee demands for more personal development, creativity, innovation and involvement.”

A spokesman for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said workers felt as if they were just a cog in a big machine. “Workers still feel like they’re like any other factor of production. They are not fully respected, trusted or valued.” He said they weren’t given the recognition for their contribution to the economy, but had been burdened with extra responsibilities and pressures.