40% of Britons Not Happy at Work

As Many as 40% of Britons Are Not Happy at Work, According to New Research.

LEICESTER, England, February 28, 2011 - A poll of more than 1,000 working people by NEBOSH (National Examination
Board in Occupational Safety and Health) found that 60% of UK workers were
happy at work, with 10% describing themselves as "extremely happy" when doing
their job.

However, as many 84% of those questioned said they were happy away from
work, with 20% feeling "extremely happy" when not working. The figures
suggest that British employers could do more to lift the mood of the
workforce.

"Although the majority of people in Britain are happy at work, 40%
aren't," said NEBOSH Chief Executive Teresa Budworth. "Happy workers tend to
be more productive, so it's a good idea for employers to take steps to ensure
people feel good about work."

The NEBOSH poll suggests that happiness at work is not linked to job type
or pay level. 61% of higher managerial and professional workers are happy at
work, as are 61% of semi and unskilled manual workers.

One area employers could target to improve happiness is people's general
health. The NEBOSH poll found that almost a quarter (22%) of UK workers are
unhappy with their health and well-being.

According to official figures, almost half a million workers in Britain
suffer from work-related stress. Overall, around 30 million working days are
lost each year in the UK through ill health (1).

Despite this, the NEBOSH poll showed that only 1 in five (21%) people
have ever been given information, guidance or training at work on ways to
avoid stress, while just 13% have been offered advice on exercise or healthy
diet by their employer.

(1) HSE statistics 2009/10.

Notes

> Poll conducted by ICM among 1,153 working people between 6th and 9th of
January 2011.

> Results can be provided by region, age and gender. Accompanying report
Happiness, Health and Well-being at Work also available. See contact
information below.

> NEBOSH is an independent examining board and awarding body with
charitable status. It offers a comprehensive range of globally-recognised,
vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety,
environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the
private and public sectors.

    Contact
    Johnny Thomson, Thomson Media Ltd
    Tel: +44(0)1207-560808
    Email: johnny@thomsonmedia.co.uk

Contact: Johnny Thomson, Thomson Media Ltd, Tel: +44(0)1207-560808, Mob: +44(0)7970-759515, Email: johnny at thomsonmedia.co.uk