IRISH workers are the happiest in the West, according to a study by the University of Warwick in England. It also found that, generally, there were high levels of discontent among the most qualified.
Across a sample of 24,000 employees in 18 countries, each of whom was interviewed face-to-face, workers in the Republic scored top marks for job satisfaction across the spectrum.
Fifty-seven per cent were very satisfied with their jobs, 38 per cent were moderately satisfied, with just 1 per cent very dissatisfied. By contrast, in Greece just 11 per cent were very satisfied with their jobs. In the UK that figure was 38 per cent, with 14 per cent very dissatisfied.
The European country with satisfaction ratings nearest those in the Republic was Denmark, where 50 per cent were very satisfied with their jobs, the same as in the US.
Prof Andrew Oswald, of the University of Warwick's Department of Economics, which conducted the study, said: "I suppose we all have visions of Ireland as a relaxed, friendly people-centred country. Perhaps people just enjoy life, including their jobs, a lot more there. It may be that low commuting times also play a role."
Other findings of the research group showed that job satisfaction across the Western world was highest among women. The self-employed were "unusually content", while those who commuted long distances were much less happy with their working lives. People generally preferred smaller work places and public-sector workers tended to be happier overall. Job security, it was found, had a major and positive impact on people's sense of wellbeing.
The study also found that highly-qualified workers were not always among the most satisfied.
Commenting on this, Prof Oswald said: "I think there is something one might call the curse of high aspirations. People with high levels of education appear to be much less easy to please than those with little formal education."
