While getting on with the boss certainly helps to keep staff happy at work, it is nowhere near as important as having a good relationship with colleagues, according to research.
A survey undertaken among 1,000 UK workers by online recruiters Jobsite.co.uk revealed that seven out of 10 see their ‘nine-to-five buddies’ as being most crucial to job satisfaction which, in turn, makes them more productive.
Two thirds even said that they would turn down a job offer that included a pay rise in order to keep on working with people that they liked and respected.
Mike Wall, Jobsite’s managing director, said: “For most of us, it’s the people we interact with that make the difference and who help to make the nine-to-five more enjoyable.”
The second most important factor on the list was feeling valued, however, followed by ‘good money’ and ‘good hours’. Getting on well with the boss came in at a lowly six though, despite the well-worn adage that ‘people leave their manager rather than the company’.
Interestingly, however, men were less concerned about their work relationships and more interested in money than women. Some 42% of males said that they would opt for a high paid job working with people whom they didn’t get on with compared with a mere 26% of females.
The same was true of just over a quarter of 45 to 54 year-olds, but the number jumped sharply to two thirds among those aged between 25 and 34.
Top 10 factors in workplace happiness
- Working with people I get on with
- Feeling valued
- Good money
- Good hours
- Good holiday and benefits
- A boss that I get on well with
- Low day-to-day stress
- Decent commute
- Productive work environment
- Workplace location.
