Hands-on employees top happiness league

The study, by City & Guilds, found that a fifth of trade professionals, such as plumbers and mechanics, were ‘extremely happy’ with their role, compared to just nine per cent of white collar workers, such as those who work in marketing or IT.

Nearly three quarters of trade workers said that their job was rewarding, compared with 68 per cent of office employees.

Feeling valued was the main plus point for craftsmen and women, with 65 per cent saying that they were appreciated. A further six in ten said that they learnt new skills in their job, 61 per cent enjoyed being their own boss, while 59 per cent said they enjoyed not being chained to a desk.

Care assistants topped the City & Guilds ‘happiness league’, with 40 per cent ‘very happy’ with their job.

Media professionals and estate agents were the least content with their roles, with both sectors scoring just 4 per cent in the ‘very happy’ category.

Hands-on work appears to have some drawbacks, however, with just 49 per cent of tradesmen saying they were paid well, compared with 52 per cent of white collar workers.

The survey also found that blue collar workers missed out on holiday time, with just 13 per cent saying that they enjoyed long breaks, compared to 23 per cent of professional staff.

The results will concern many professional small businesses, who already struggle to attract skilled staff to fill vacancies.

Chris Humphries, director general at City & Guilds, said it’s a misconception that white collar professionals have the best jobs and are therefore the happiest.

“As our research proves, it’s often people in vocational careers that are the most content and fulfilled.

“There is an increasing trend for people to swap careers to do something more hands-on. A lot of employees are starting to realise that job satisfaction is more important than any other consideration, including money,” he said.