Crisis makes Flemish employees love their job
A recent survey by Jobat and Profacts among more than 5.800 employees in Flanders shows that seven out of ten Flemish employees say that their job makes them happy. “This is a high percentage”, says Frederik Anseel, professor in industrial and organizational pyschology at Ghent University. “Probably most of us feel so happy because we still have a job despite the crisis.”
A majority of the active Flemish people (67 percent) say that their job makes them happy in everyday life. “If the economy starts to improve again, satisfaction will probably decrease. At that point in time people will see more opportunities on the job market and the grass will again seem much greener at the other side”, says professor Anseel. “Although previous research shows that ‘working’ is the activity that makes us feel least happy, other studies show that working gives our life meaning and is important for our identity.”
It is probably not a coincidence that especially employees in the social sector (76%) and education (82%) say that their job makes them happy. “In those jobs you often notice at the end of the day that you have made a difference”, continues professor Anseel. “However, there is an alternative explanation. Jobs in education, for instance, are not paid very well. So you are not in such a job for the money. Choosing a job in education is thus probably more based on the job content.”
Within the top three of most satisfied employees are also people who are self-employed. Among them, 79 percent are happy with their job, which has much to do with the freedom and independence with which they can do their job. “The more people can decide their own job content, the higher the satisfaction with their job”, clarifies professor Anseel.
Apart from the freedom or independence (29%), liking our job has to do most with the job content (39%) and the colleagues (27%). Only 16% thinks the pay check is the most satisfying about a job, ranking even after working hours and social atmosphere at the job. “Pay is important, but not a determining factor for job satisfaction. The trio autonomy, meaningfulness and good relations are much more important”, confirms professor Anseel.
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