Hong Kong Workers Happier With Their Lot, Global Survey Finds

20 Jun 2013

Hong Kong workers are happier than their counterparts in Australia, America and Europe, a new global study shows.

The Work-Life Balance Index also shows local workers are bucking wider negative sentiment globally, finding a better balance of work and daily living, despite being known for putting in long hours.

In the survey, commissioned by work-space provider Regus, over 26,000 people in 90 countries from a broad range of industries were questioned.

About 230 samples were taken in Hong Kong and 850 on the mainland, covering time spent at home and work, job satisfaction and broader opinions on working practices.

While the global average slid to 120, Hong Kong hit 122 points, up five on last year, equalling Canada, while regional rival Singapore rose two to 128. Mexico topped the overall poll with 149 points. Croatia came last with 79.

Hong Kong's rise was helped by the global fall, but Regus pointed to a "modernisation" in traditional working practices, with more family-friendly flexi-time and working from home.

"These results have to be good news for Hong Kong since staff who are happy at work are more productive and less likely to leave," said John Henderson, Regus Asia-Pacific chief financial officer.

Confederation of Trade Unions lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan questioned the sampling. "I'm a bit shocked that Hong Kong has a happier workforce," he said. "I don't believe anyone can be happier always having to work." He pointed to the service industry, where workers clocked in for 12-hour shifts, and dock workers, who grafted for 16 hours.

Asia performed well, but there was an overall reversal in fortunes for emerging economies.

China tumbled 13 points to 136 on uncertainty about its economic outlook. Henderson said people working harder to hold on to their jobs in a tougher market helped stress levels rise 75 per cent, the most of any country polled. The global average stood at 48 per cent.

About 73 per cent of Chinese workers cited their job as a cause of stress, only two points lower than Mexico, which topped the poll, while the global average stood at 59 per cent.

Robin Bishop, a director at Community Business, an NGO that advises on corporate social responsibility in Asia, said the results were "encouraging" but there was "room for improvement".

Source: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1264484/hong-kong-workers-happier-their-lot-global-survey-finds