Archive - January 11, 2010

Do you enjoy your job? If you do it seems you’re in the minority.

According to recent research only 22% of Australian workers are happy with their careers. I’m guessing that figures would be similar in other western nations.

I suppose I should admit to being one of the few that enjoys their work. That doesn’t mean that my job is perfect or that every day is better than the last, but as far as work goes, my job is very satisfying and I’m glad I’m doing what I’m doing. I used to ‘play radio stations’ when I was a child. I loved the idea of working in radio from a very young age so having been in the industry full or part time for almost 22 years is the realisation of a long held goal.

Apparently it’s not just that over three quarters of people don’t enjoy their work, it seems that there is a significant amount of the workforce who turn up each day to a job they hate.

The survey, conducted by education provider Martin College, also reveals nine per cent of Australians actually hate their jobs.

Only 22 per cent are happy with their careers and don’t want to change, with Brisbane workers the most satisfied. Sydney and Melbourne workers hate their jobs equally.

The research is backed up by a survey conducted by Reuters last year that found only 13 per cent of employees planned to stay in their current positions.

Two thirds said they were looking to change jobs in 2010 and 21 per cent admitted to networking last year to get the ball rolling. – News.com.au

So why are so many of us remaining unfulfilled in our chosen careers? I wonder if it’s a deeper dissatisfaction with life.

I’ve had several jobs over my working life, everything from my cooking apprenticeship to running a printing press for the education department, to organising bike rides across Australia and overseas. There have been occasions throughout my working life when I’ve felt dissatisfied with the job I was in at the time. When I looked more closely at circumstances I’ve realised that the dissatisfaction has been more closely linked to things going on outside of work. When I’ve dealt with those personal issues my work life has been a lot more satisfying. Thankfully it’s been many years since I’ve felt those sorts of issues rising to the surface.

Of course that’s not to say that it’s never the job. There have been times when I’ve needed to move on but if work isn’t everything I want it to be I look at the wider situation before making any big decisions.

So could it be that many Australians are feeling the same way? Could difficult personal situations or a general lack of a satisfying and fulfilling life out of work hours be what’s behind the alarming figures of those who are not enjoying their work situation?

I wonder if there is a social, relational or perhaps spiritual reason behind what seems on the surface to be a work related issue?

I’ve love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave some comments.

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