Happiness at Work Drops in Second Year

For many professionals, that first year in a new job can be a “honeymoon period,” full of new and exciting challenges. But a recent study from Robert Half and Happiness Works shows that professionals with between one and two years on the job are less happy, less interested in their work and more stressed than those still in their first year.

After three years or more on the job, happiness levels edge back up and interest levels increase. In fact, those with the greatest tenure (21 years or more) showed the highest level of interest in their jobs.

“Once they get past year one, the honeymoon appears to be over for many professionals,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half. “After 12 months on the job, employees are expected to work more autonomously and take on added responsibility. At the same time, aspects of the job that at first seemed novel and interesting may lose their luster.”

McDonald added, “Managers should be aware of this second-year slowdown and take proactive measures to keep employees engaged. This includes providing stretch assignments and ensuring that workloads are manageable. By keeping an eye on it, companies can help minimize the risk of losing productive staff members who have already been through a learning curve.”

Although managers can take steps to create a happier work environment, they aren’t the only ones who can fan the flames of employee happiness. When asked who’s responsible for keeping spirits high on the job, 25 percent of North American workers surveyed said it was their responsibility alone. Another 5 percent said it was all in their company’s hands. The majority of respondents – 70 percent – cited a combination of the two.

Robert Half offers five tips professionals can use to maintain their spark as they build tenure at an organization:

Find your passion. Think about your company’s higher purpose: How is it making the world a better place? For example, if you work at a CPA firm, you aren’t only performing accounting functions – you are helping client businesses grow and thrive.
Deepen your connections. Having friends at work makes every day more fun. Go out of your way to socialize and build camaraderie with those around you.
Mix it up. Don’t wait for your manager to offer you new projects. Be proactive – talk to your boss about new assignments to broaden your skill set and contribution to the firm. This not only increases your engagement level but also your earning potential.
Show gratitude. Take the time to thank coworkers for their help and compliment others for a job well done. This will brighten their day while also giving your spirits a boost.
Sweeten the pot. Keep up with compensation trends and ask for a raise, if warranted, as you take on more responsibility.

Nic Marks, CEO of Happiness Works says that “progressive business leaders have always understood that happier employees are better employees. This research shows how managers and employees can work together to build a happier workplace environment for all.”

The survey of more than 12,000 workers in the United States and Canada was conducted by an independent research firm. Respondents included a broad representation of the U.S. and Canadian working population with an emphasis on those employed in professional settings to provide the ability to make robust comparisons among fields.

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