Survey reveals discontent

Only a little more than half of engineers in the UK are happy with their job, according to the Global Workforce Index 2006, an international workplace survey carried out by employment agency, Kelly Services.

The survey also found that Britain's overall workforce is amongst the unhappiest in the world.

As reported by the agency, 48 per cent of people claimed to be unhappy with their current job, and out of 28 countries, the UK ranked equal 23rd with Thailand.

Denmark has the happiest workforce, with 74 per cent of employees saying they are satisfied with their jobs. Mexico and Sweden followed with 71 per cent. The UK engineering sector ranked bottom fifth amongst 13 other industries, with only 53 per cent of workers saying they are happy with their job.

However, UK bosses fared better, receiving modest praise from workers who awarded them an average score of 6.7 out of 10. UK bosses were rated 11th amongst the 28 countries, the best bosses being found in Mexico, USA and Canada, and the worst in Sweden, Italy and Turkey.