ADP study locates the happiest workforce in Central Europe
Workers employed in Spain, the Netherlands and Poland report the highest levels of job satisfaction, according to a study by ADP. The new study asked nearly 10,000 European adult workers what they thought about the future of work, international competition and talent management.
The ADP study times where the happiest employees work. The top five European countries by worker satisfaction are listed below:
- Netherlands (76%)
- Poland (74%)
- Switzerland (73%)
- Spain (71%)
- United Kingdom, France and Germany (68%)
Different criteria
Despite high job satisfaction, 86% of Polish workers would consider a career opportunity in another country, compared to 54% of respondents in France, who generally report lower satisfaction and optimism than Polish workers. These results are interesting in terms of employment figures. For example, unemployment is staggeringly high at 18.9% in Spain. High job satisfaction is likely a direct result of comparative job security.
German employees are the most confident about the future of work. 83% of them are optimistic. The UK recorded the largest decline compared to last year (76% vs. 81%). As the UK is one of the strongest economies in Europe with high employment levels, the outcome of the EU referendum is probably to blame for this drop.
Demographic change
Younger workers tend to exhibit higher levels of optimism, with 85% of 16-24 year olds optimistic about the future of work, compared to an overall average of 78%. This drops to 72% in the 55+ age group - suggesting that optimism declines with age.
Most satisfied areas
Meanwhile, the telecommunications and IT industry is emerging as the most satisfied industry of all. 79% of workers report being satisfied. In contrast, only 65% of workers in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries reported being satisfied.
Sebastien Moyon, Service Delivery Director at ADP Switzerland, comments, "It has long been recognized that employee satisfaction has a big impact on production. Organizations need to make sure their employees are happy, engaged and satisfied in their roles."
For more information, please read the study "The Employee View in Europe 2017" at this Link
