Employers using tools such as rota software to improve work/life balance standards in their workforce could be encouraged by new research showing that UK employees are feeling happier with their jobs this year.

A study released by recruitment agency Office Angels suggested that the proportion of Britons who are content at work has increased by a fifth compared with a year ago.

More than half (56 per cent) of employees said they were happy with their current career situation in the second quarter of this year, up from 36 per cent in the same period in 2012.

The results provided an insight into job satisfaction in different sectors, with more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of sales, media and marketing professionals saying they were happy.

Finance organisations appear to have some room for improvement in their workforce management methods, with only a third (32 per cent) of people working in this sector found to be satisfied with their employment situation.

Over two-thirds (68 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-olds said they were content at work, while less than half (48 per cent) of 45 to 54-year-olds said the same.

Other findings showed that levels of staff happiness in the north-west (65 per cent) and south-west (61 per cent) are above the national average of 56 per cent.

Darren Roscoe, operations director at Office Angels, said: "Our research shows that overall the UK workforce is showing very high levels of happiness and job satisfaction, especially when compared to this time last year.

"As we draw to the end of a summer of sunshine, Wimbledon success and the royal baby, it is no surprise that there is an air of positivity."

Mr Roscoe noted that employers seem to be focusing on the wellbeing of their employees and creating workplaces where people want to stay.

In July this year, recruitment agency Reed published a report showing that job satisfaction had increased by ten per cent since the start of 2013.