UK job sectors with the happiest workers

Childcare tops the list as UK sector with the happiest workers in a new ranking of which sectors are the most satisfied.

The childcare sector scored the most points for “positive impact on others” in the Job Sector Index by Savoy Stewart, as well as scoring highly for “satisfaction with employee empowerment.”

The index is based on a survey of 4,000 professionals from 20 different sectors on a range of aspects including positive impact on others, career prospects, employee empowerment, work relationships, salary, and toxic culture.

Despite taking the top spot for the happiest workers, the childcare sector scored the lowest for personal remuneration, highlighting that pay is not always the main factor for job satisfaction, according to the report.

Finance and banking came in second place on the list of the top 10 happiest sectors. Finance and banking workers feel valued by their employers as satisfaction for employee empowerment was the highest of all sectors in the ranking.

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Finance and banking employees were the most satisfied with their salaries, but the sector ranked third worst for mental health.

Public security came in at number three on the list, scoring highly for positive impact on others and work relationships.

The technology sector was fourth due to ranking highly for good career prospects, salary, and employee empowerment.

Construction and property was at number five, followed by healthcare, marketing and digital media, HR and recruitment, and Education.

Last on the list of the the top 10 happiest sectors was hospitality, revealed as the least satisfied job sector. With the lowest points for career prospects of all sectors, workers in this industry do not see many opportunities to progress in their careers, according to the report. Hospitality also received low scores for mental health and salary.

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The healthcare sector was the least satisfied in terms of the mental health of employees, followed by the education sector, finance and banking, and HR and recruitment.

When it comes to toxic cultures, marketing and digital media and technology were the most unsatisfied sectors.

Lee Chambers, psychologist and wellbeing consultant said: “While our work is important, nothing is more important than our health and long-term happiness. For that reason, healthy boundaries are vital and reduce the impact that work has on other areas of your life. Starting to look for a positive work environment will fuel you by showing it’s possible to have a balanced life, and you are boosted by the fact you are taking action.”

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