The Hibiscus Coast community and Kiwis nationwide can now gain a clearer understanding of workplace satisfaction thanks to SEEK’s inaugural Workplace Happiness Index (WHI).

This survey, involving over 1,000 workers across diverse industries, generations, and roles, highlights that 62% of New Zealanders report being happy at work.

The research reveals that workplace happiness is primarily driven by a sense of purpose, day-to-day responsibilities, and company culture, surpassing salary and work-life balance as key factors.

Rob Clark, SEEK’s Country Manager, emphasised the importance of these findings, stating: “Employees who are content in their roles are less inclined to look for new opportunities and are more likely to contribute above and beyond in their work. This underscores the significant value workplace happiness holds for Kiwi businesses, driving both productivity and retention.”

The study further explored generational differences in workplace satisfaction.

Baby Boomers emerged as the happiest group, with 76% reporting satisfaction, followed by Generation X (69%), Millennials (54%), and Generation Z at just 52%.

For younger workers, factors such as salary and their company’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives were found to be critical, though dissatisfaction in these areas remains high.

The WHI findings also highlighted the economic challenges affecting Kiwi workers, with salary and stress levels ranked highly among concerns.

However, Rob Clark noted that workplace happiness extends beyond financial compensation: “Having a sense of purpose at work and meaningful responsibilities appears to be the biggest driver of happiness.”

For Generation Z, dissatisfaction was most pronounced in areas such as senior leadership, stress levels, and career progression opportunities.

These insights signal an opportunity for businesses to address the needs of younger employees, particularly as they represent the future of New Zealand’s workforce.

The WHI aims to provide actionable insights for employers to improve workplace satisfaction.

As Clark summarised, “By identifying the gaps between what workers value and their current experiences, we can foster meaningful improvements in workplace happiness.”

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