• Location of their job and day-to-day responsibilities are what Australian workers are most happy with at work in 2024, while they are least happy with their company’s commitment to ESG and their career progression opportunities.

• Aussies say that having purpose at work is the most important factor in their workplace happiness, currently ranking higher in importance than salary, work-life balance and career development opportunities.

Australia’s leading employment marketplace, SEEK, has released its inaugural Workplace Happiness Index, providing a pulse check on Australians’ happiness levels at work, and comprehensive and timely insights into how best to foster and improve workplace happiness. 

This survey of over 1,200 workers across a broad range of generations, locations, industries, income levels and seniorities* revealed that only 55% of Australians report that they feel happy at work. This new Index asked workers how happy they currently are with a range of factors, such as work-life balance and their senior management. This data was then analysed to determine how workers rank each factor in contributing to their workplace happiness overall.

Aimee Hutton, Head of Customer Insights and Strategy comments: “While we may not love every job that we are in at every life stage, being happy at work is an important contributor to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. However, it’s not just about the individual benefits of workplace happiness. The research in SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index shows that those who are happy at work are less likely to change jobs and more likely to go above and beyond in their role. This is testament to happiness at work being invaluable for Australian businesses and healthy productivity in the labour market. 

The aim of this inaugural Workplace Happiness Index is to spotlight the strongest opportunities to improve happiness at work for both employees and employers, and ultimately, drive a happier workforce in Australia.” 

SEEK’s research reveals that it’s the type of work, and who we work with and where, that are the biggest drivers of current happiness at work, with location of work, day-to-day responsibilities and work-life balance taking the lead. On the other hand, the Index also revealed what Australians are least happy with at work, which includes their salary and career growth. This is possibly reflective of an increasingly competitive labour market where some employees may have less bargaining power over their employment terms. The data also suggests there is an expectation that business leaders need to step up to the plate on their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, with only 35% of Australians happy with this.

As part of SEEK’s new Workplace Happiness Index, Australian workers were also asked to rank what they consider to be the most important contributors to their happiness. Interestingly, having purpose at work takes the top spot, ahead of work-life balance and salary, which ranked eighth and ninth respectively. Australians also consider individual contribution and social connection to be most significant in their happiness at work, with their manager, day-to-day responsibilities, company culture and stress levels ranked as important after purpose at work.

“This Index reveals there exists a disconnect between what workers say is important to their happiness at work and how happy they actually are with those factors. By uncovering this mismatch, we are able to clearly highlight the key areas to address to improve workplace happiness. For example, with only 58% of workers happy with their purpose at work, and it being the top driver of workplace happiness, it suggests there is a need for employees and employers alike to consider ways to drive further fulfilment at work. We hope that this Index helps drive meaningful change to improve happiness at work across Australia,” says Hutton.

“Many working Australians are struggling with financial uncertainty, and many of us are still grappling with the constantly changing way we work, so it’s unsurprising to see only 55% of people are happy at work,” says Transitioning Well Co-Director and Organisational Psychologist, Justine Alter. ⁠ ⁠“We need to acknowledge this intersection, as it’s just as important to support workers to live well, as much as it is to support them to work well. From an individual point of view, we know that happiness can be a protective mental health factor, and can lead to a longer, healthier life.

"At an organisational level, there are numerous studies to suggest that happier workers are more productive, highlighting its importance.”

• Talkin’ about our generations - the youngest generation of workers, Gen Z, is the least happy generation at work, with only half (50%) saying they are happy at work. However, it may not be for the reasons that you think - with Gen Z being least happy with their career progression opportunities and senior leadership, as well as the company’s commitment to ESG. On the flipside, Baby Boomers are the most happy at work (61%). 

• State of the states - South Australian workers are the happiest at work (67%), while Western Australian workers are the least happy (46%). The likes of NSW and VIC sit around the halfway mark - with 54% and 57% happy at work, respectively. 

• Sector by sector - Government workers (71%) and Retail and Consumer Products (63%) workers are the happiest at work, while those in the engineering (25%) and construction (40%) industries are the least happy. 

For more information on ways to protect and boost workplace happiness, head to SEEK Career Advice. You can also download the full report here.