Want to enjoy your job? Be a crimper

by Laura Smith

When it comes to happiness at work, it would appear that hairdressers are a cut above the rest. Research published today reveals that two in five hairdressers rated themselves as 'extremely happy' and thriving on the creativity and contact with customers.

The survey, commissioned by the qualifications authority City and Guilds, led to a contentment list based on satisfaction felt in various jobs. Hairdressers were found to be the most content, followed by the clergy, chefs, beauticians and plumbers. The unhappiest are listed as social workers, architects, civil servants, estate agents, secretaries and lawyers.

Chris Humphries, director general of City and Guilds, said: "Nowadays true job satisfaction and happiness is about fulfilling your full potential, tapping into your own creativity and feeling that you can make a difference.

"More people than ever are swapping their desk-bound jobs for a vocation that enables them to be hands-on, use their brains and be in charge of their own destiny."

Interviews for the annual survey were carried out with 1,200 people, from 15 jobs the body classified as vocational (including skilled practitioners and craftsworkers) and 15 from jobs classed as professional (or 'white collar').

Workers were asked to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of their job, including pay, stress levels and their ability to be their own boss. Researchers found that 70 per cent of 'vocational' workers felt appreciated at work compared with 63 per cent of 'white-collar' staff. Those in practical jobs were said to enjoy a better social life at work than their office-bound counterparts.

Angela Foster, 36, who works at Revolution Hair Design, in Small Heath, Birmingham, was not surprised by the results. "I've been here for 13 years, but it doesn't feel anything like that long. If you love what you do, the time just goes by. Sometimes I wonder whether I do any work, because I'm laughing all day," the hairdresser said.

Marcus Cummins, 42, from the March Hair salon, in Plymouth, Devon, agreed. "I absolutely love what I do," he said. "The thing about hair is it's very personal. You become a confidant, and as a hairdresser that's the most important thing you never betray. In that sense you are a bit like a priest."

However, the president of the Royal Institute of Britain Architects, defended his profession, which involves seven years' study. "I greatly enjoy it and I'm far from alone," said George Ferguson. But he admitted to feeling undervalued. "You see people making very large sums of money in the city doing things that don't require the level of skill or talent that we (have) - that's bound to lead to some dissatisfaction."

Happy in their work...

Percentage of people saying they enjoy their work: 1. Hairdressers - 40 per cent, 2. Clergy - 24 per cent, 3. Chefs/cooks - 23 per cent, 4. Beauticians - 22 per cent, 5. Plumbers - 20 per cent, 6. Mechanics - 20 per cent, 7. Builders - 20 per cent, 8. Electricians - 18 per cent, 9. Florists - 18 per cent, 10. Fitness instructors - 18 per cent, 11. Care assistants - 18 per cent, 12. Health professionals - 17 per cent, 13. Media - 16 per cent, 14. Chartered engineers - 15 per cent, 15. Pharmacists - 15 per cent, 16. Scientists/research - 15 per cent, 17. Butchers - 14 per cent, 18. DJs - 13 per cent, 19. Interior designers - 9 per cent, 20. Travel agents - 9 per cent, 21. Teachers - 8 per cent, 22. Bankers - 8 per cent, 23. Accountants - 7 per cent, 24. IT specialists - 5 per cent, 25. Lawyers - 5 per cent, 26. Secretaries - 5 per cent, 27. Estate agents - 4 per cent, 28. Civil servants - 3 per cent, 29. Architects - 2 per cent, 30. Social workers - 2 per cent.

(Courtesy - 'The Guardian')