Healthcare Industry Now Leads the Way in Workplace Satisfaction, According to 2024 Careers Happiness Index

A new report on workplace satisfaction among UK workers in 2024 reveals healthcare professionals are among the happiest across all sectors, according to the findings.

The Career Happiness Index collated by leaders in careers transformation, The Futures Group, also brings attention to industries like manufacturing and transport and logistics, which appear to be the least satisfying sectors to work in, according to their low scores.

With a challenging workforce landscape, heightened by the cost-of-living crisis, the research analysed Glassdoor data on culture, diversity, work/life balance, senior leadership, compensation, and career development to obtain a holistic view of workplace happiness broken down by sector.

Topping the index as the industry with the highest workplace satisfaction was healthcare, joint with accounting and finance, and followed by legal and travel and tourism.

The report revealed healthcare as the leaders in workplace happiness, performing particularly well with high scores in diversity and inclusion, along with robust career development indicators. This suggests a departure from the conventional emphasis on compensation as the sole driver of job satisfaction.

At the same time, the ONS notes that the escalating cost of living crisis is prompting individuals to reassess the concept of early retirement. This ongoing trend, often termed the “Great Unretirement,” signifies a noteworthy shift, as individuals feel compelled to return to the workforce to bolster their income and pension.

Reflecting on the data, Amanda Payne, Director of Operations at The Futures Group, emphasises the profound impact of career happiness when considering a return to work, or your career as a whole.

“A fulfilling career is more than the tasks we perform; it’s about creating an environment where individuals can thrive, grow, and find joy in their daily endeavours. This not only enhances personal satisfaction but also contributes significantly to overall workplace dynamics.

“As we introduce our Career Happiness Index, we encourage both individuals and businesses to take a moment to assess and enhance their own career satisfaction. Gaining insights into industry trends and incorporating practical advice can be empowering for individuals and contribute to creating a work environment that supports increased productivity, lower turnover, and enhanced profitability.

“After the Covid-19 pandemic, interest in working in the UK healthcare industry has increased, with high levels of recruitment in the past year. It’s likely that the high workplace satisfaction is a factor which is encouraging people to work in the sector, which is great to see.”

Laura Appleton, practice educator for wider workforce at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, shares her thoughts:

“The Healthcare sector is a place where people who are passionate about caring for people come to work. I think Healthcare ranks highly because there are many dedicated individuals in this sector. There are also many different ways you can develop and take your career where you want.

“My favourite thing about working in Healthcare is seeing the difference that you can make to people’s lives. For me, that can be either caring for someone who is unwell or providing training for colleagues who need that extra confidence and support in their job development. It is wonderful to see the journey people go on and I get to be a part of that!

“If you are thinking of moving to the Healthcare sector, I would say to go for it! Whilst it is a challenging area to work in and requires lots of hard work, no two days are the same and there is always so much more to learn and numerous ways you can develop.”

To view the full Career Happiness index, and tips on how to assess your home happiness, as well as practical advice for a better work life balance visit: https://www.the-futures-group.com/career-happiness-index.html