Hairdressers a cut above in the world of happiness at work

Nearly half of hairdressers said they always genuinely enjoyed their job, whereas just 2 per cent of social workers and architects said they were happy to turn up at work every day. Next in the league of career contentment after crimpers were members of the clergy, chefs, beauticians and plumbers.

The poll of 1,200 employees by the qualifications body City and Guilds showed that workers are happier now than a year ago.

Vocational workers such as builders, electricians, cooks and hairdressers were more happy in their jobs than white-collar staff and felt more appreciated in their work.

Tradesmen and women also had a better social life at work than white-collar employees such as accountants, bankers, estate agents or scientists.

Chris Humphries, the director general of City and Guilds, said workers were now attaching increasing importance to happiness because jobs were taking up more hours.

He 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. As we spend so much time at work, it’s important that we enjoy what we do and build on the skills that we’re good at."

Architect Richard Murphy, who runs his own firm in Edinburgh, said: "I myself am actually very happy and I think I can speak for my staff too, though as a profession it is hopelessly paid.

"Architects do suffer massive frustrations as the years go by and they are always having battles with such bodies as Historic Scotland as well as all the planning hoops you have to jump through.

"A lot of graduates study architecture at university without really realising what they are signing up to later in life. Being an architect is much more of a calling than a profession."

Ian Johnston, director of the British Association of Social Workers, added: "The job is very demanding and people don’t get the support they deserve. People do it because it’s a cause they believe in."

Dr Cynthia McVey, a psychologist at Glasgow Caledonian University, added: "Blue-collar workers like plumbers get the daily satisfaction of going home having seen a practical job well done, like the installation of a boiler.

"White-collar workers are part of a chain and often don’t see results of their labour and so are more prone to stress."

Charles Kivlin, 56, who runs the eponymous Edinburgh hair salon in the New Town, said his staff were happy because being friendly and chatty to customers was a key part of their job. The hairdresser even sends his staff to motivational classes to ensure they are content at work.

He said: "Another reason hairdressers are happy is because it is a popular profession for young people to break into.

"They tend to be passionate about it and realise they can have great fun at work. When people get their hair cut, they expect staff to be chirpy, so it gives my staff a licence to enjoy themselves. Our motto here is make money first but also have fun. Even though I have been in this job for over three decades, I still really enjoy my personal, ordinary day in the office."

The survey follows research by the Employers’ Forum on Age, a body campaigning on age issues in the workplace, which found that 93 per cent of the over-60s like work, the highest percentage of any age group, compared with just 54 per cent of thirtysomethings.

MORE AGONY THAN ECSTASY

1 Hairdressers - 40% happy

2 Clergy - 24%

3 Chefs/cooks - 23%

4 Beauticians - 22%

5 Plumbers - 20%

6 Mechanics - 20%

7 Builders - 20%

8 Electricians - 18%

9 Florists - 18%

10 Fitness instructors - 18%

11 Care assistants - 18%

12 Healthcare professionals -17%

13 Media - 16%

14 Chartered engineers - 15%

15 Pharmacists - 15%

16 Scientists/R&D - 15%

17 Butchers - 14%

18 DJs - 13%

19 Interior designers - 9%

20 Travel agents - 9%

21 Teachers - 8%

22 Bankers - 8%

23 Accountants - 7%

24 IT specialists - 5%

25 Lawyers - 5%

26 Secretaries - 5%

27 Estate agents - 4%

28 Civil servants - 3%

29 Architects - 2%

30 Social workers - 2%