Millennials Struggle With Workplace Happiness; Report Finds Key Factors That Leave Employees Disgruntled

Seventy per cent of working professionals in India are unhappy at their jobs, a new report has revealed. The report comes at a time when India's conscience has been shaken by the death of a 26-year-old employee of a top firm, with her mother alleging that excessive workload led to her young and talented girl's untimely demise. The study, conducted by Happiest Places to Work, in association with Happiness Research Academy, does not present such a happy picture. The report rather exposes a grim outlook as a large number of employees say that they are contemplating leaving their jobs.

The report titled 'Happiness at Work – How Happy is India’s Workforce?' has revealed eye-opening trends about workplace satisfaction across India. Based on a survey of 2,000 employees from 18 industry sectors, the findings show striking disparities in happiness levels, especially among millennials, who seem to be struggling the most with job satisfaction.

A concerning 54 per cent of all surveyed employees are considering leaving their jobs, with the highest dissatisfaction found among millennials, 59 per cent of whom are contemplating an exit. The report suggests that a more supportive environment, where employees can pursue personal interests, dramatically reduces turnover. Employees with such opportunities were found to be 60 per cent less likely to consider leaving their jobs.

Factors Behind Unhappiness At Work

Workplace collaboration seems to be an issue for many. 63 per cent of employees experience inertia in teamwork due to conflicts, and 62 per cent feel hesitant to express their views openly. These issues are contributing to declining workplace happiness across industries.

Happy Employees At Work

The report identifies the Fintech sector as the happiest industry, while the real estate sector ranks as the least happy. Gender and geography also play a role in how satisfied employees feel. Women in the East and Central regions of the country reported higher happiness levels than their male counterparts, while in the Northern region, men reported significantly more happiness than women.

The report underscores that factors beyond age, such as industry and working environment, play a critical role in employee satisfaction. As 'The Happiest Places to Work' report becomes an annual publication by the Happiness Research Academy, it aims to track these trends and provide organizations with valuable insights into how they can foster more fulfilling workplaces for all employees—especially millennials, who appear to be at the crossroads of change.