HAPPY: Happy workers tend to exercise, participate in the community on their own time and have long-term relationships.

A study by Howdy.com revealed stark differences both on and off the job between happy and unhappy workers — employee happiness exceeds the national average at a salary of $75,000.

“Running a company means keeping a workforce engaged and motivated by a shared sense of purpose. Many factors influence workplace happiness, from compensation and workload to management style and flexibility. 

Among surveyed workers, 73% said they are happy at work, while 27% reported being unhappy. So what separates the two groups?

Burnout is one of the strongest indicators of unhappiness. It affects 84% of unhappy workers. Burnout is not limited to unhappy employees, however. It also affects 20% of happy workers. Unhappy workers work an average of 3 more hours per week than their happy counterparts.

Happy workers are more likely to have predictable jobs. About 95% say their duties align with their job descriptions, 80% report having supportive managers, and 93% say they have clear paths to success.

Unhappy workers report much lower alignment. Only about 60% say their duties match their role, 50% have supportive managers, and just over 50% feel they know how to succeed.

Compensation is one of the largest gaps between the two groups. Only 25% of unhappy workers are satisfied with their pay, compared to 71% of happy workers. This disparity affects how employees perceive their employers. Just 30% of unhappy workers believe their employer cares about them, versus 85% of happy workers. About 89% of happy workers say they have good work-life balance, compared to just 40% of unhappy workers. Recognition follows a similar pattern, with 85% of happy workers feeling recognized compared to just 44% of unhappy workers.