Workplace happiness shows sorry gulf
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/250920/Workplace-h...
Ryan Li
Local workers rate their happiness at 5.62 out of 10, significantly lower than the SAR's general index of 6.59 among employees and the jobless, a survey has found.
The poll, conducted for the first time between December 13 and 28, polled over 1,500 local workers to rate their "workplace happiness." It was conducted by HK WeCare under Wofoo Social Enterprises.
The overall workplace happiness index scored 5.15, while one in three respondents cited a workplace happiness score of lower than five on a scale of one to 10.
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Respondents said they work for an average of 43 hours per week. Over 40 percent said they felt exhausted and that their pay was too low, considering their workload and work performance.
Apart from workplace happiness levels, opinions on working conditions, work value, workplace culture and job productivity were also polled.
From the 1,527 replies, the average "personal happiness index" of the working population was 5.62 out of 10, while that of the general population stood at 6.59.
The working group also scored lower on mental capital scores, which include love, insight, fortitude and engagement, compared to the general population.
"All age groups in the working population are unhappier than their general population counterparts," said Simon Lam Ching, a nursing professor at Tung Wah College and principal investigator of the survey.
Some 40.5 percent of workers said they had experienced burnout, while about 31.5 percent reported experiencing work-induced work-life imbalance, making it difficult to manage personal affairs and relax.
"While Hong Kong's average weekly work hours stands at 43, those experiencing burnout typically work for longer," the researchers said.
The "Subjective Pay Appropriacy" - a self evaluation of workers' wage level - was found to be the most influential factor in workplace happiness. When its ratings go up, workplace happiness rises accordingly.
Apart from attracting new talents, employers should also try to retain existing talents, the organizer said.
"It's important to create a workplace where colleagues feel happy, safe and are encouraged to love, care and support each other," said Ricky Szeto Wing-fu, the chief executive of Hung Fook Tong Group Holdings. Szeto is also a HK WeCare adviser.
The government was advised to strengthen special leave arrangements and working flexibility, including adding family-friendly policies into work contracts.