Don’t believe the negative hype. Shift workers’ attitudes toward their jobs have actually improved over the past year, according to research released on Tuesday, even as consumer sentiment is near record lows.
Deputy, a global company that helps small and medium-sized businesses with scheduling, human resources and related services, said its annual survey showed a slight increase in the number of employees who are satisfied with their jobs, while the number of employees who are dissatisfied with their jobs has decreased significantly.
According to those surveyed, 78.9% of workers “reported feeling positive at the end of their shift,” an increase of nearly half a percentage point from last year.
At the same time, the number of people feeling unhappy fell from 6.6% to 5.9%, the lowest figure in the survey’s four-year history.
Surveys conducted by organizations including the University of Michigan, the New York Fed, and the Conference Board have found concerns about household finances and about finding and keeping a job.
But these responses also come amid demographic changes in the shift-based workforce, with Gen Z, or those born between 1997 and 2012, making up the largest sector within the group.
“These results come at a time of significant change in our workforce,” said Silvia Marticevic, CEO of Deputy. “This shift is important because workers at different stages of life report very different experiences at work, making this generational shift a key part of the story behind this year’s performance.”
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Breaking down the results by category, the theoretically happiest place to log an eight-hour shift is for casino workers in Rhode Island.
Gambling received a 100% positive rating among respondents and topped the subsector ranking. Rhode Island also boasts a perfect score, with the report citing its score as “a tight labor market and strong hospitality and tourism industry, both of which are performing well on a national scale.”
The game’s popularity “may stem from its vibrant, customer-facing atmosphere combined with the benefits of tipping and a collaborative team structure.”
More broadly, hospitality was rated highest with a positive rating of 82.98%, followed closely by retail at 82.62%. Of the four major categories, healthcare had the lowest positive rating at 72.89%, marking the second year in a row that the industry has led the country in job creation.
Other subsectors that received high positive ratings included gun stores (89.53%), cafes and coffee shops (89.50%), and accommodation (84.09%). The lowest of the 10 groups were fast food and cashier restaurants (80.30%) and home care (73.14%). The cafe/coffee shop group had the highest rate of “excellent” responses at 72.64%.
The most negative responses were found in tobacco, e-cigarette, and marijuana stores (13.34%), animal health stores (13.07%), and nursing homes (11.55%).
Geographically, Alaska (95.35%) ranked second behind Rhode Island, and Hawaii (92.89%) ranked third. The states with the most negative ratings were Arkansas (12.68%), New Hampshire (12.31%), and the District of Columbia (11.11%).
By generation, Alpha had the most positive score at 88.88%, followed by Gen Z at 78.42%.
The study’s authors noted that a growing number of middle-class workers are only answering “fairly” when asked how they feel about their jobs. It rose to 15.2%, making it the fastest growing category.
“Workplace morale remains high when companies focus on reliable scheduling, fair pay, and meaningful recognition,” the study states. “On the other hand, ignoring these core requirements often results in employees becoming disengaged or choosing to leave their roles. Failure to address these basic needs often results in employees drifting into neutral positions or leaving the organization altogether.”
