Hairdressers among the happiest workers in the uk

Hairdressers are still among the happiest workers in the UK, according to the fifth City and Guild Happiness Index - although beauty therapists did knock them off the top spot this year.

There's still plenty for hairdressers to smile about, however, insists City and Guilds. Hairdressers have an average happiness level of more than eight out of 10, with one in three rating themselves as 100 per cent happy. Nearly half of the UK's hairdressers are happier than they were a year ago and 80 per cent would recommend the profession to a friend.

Said Bob Coates, managing director, City and Guilds: "It is great to see that once again the hairdressing industry has got it right when it comes to workplace happiness. With 80 per cent of hairdressers claiming they would recommend their employers to friends, the industry is unlikely to suffer recruitment problems in the near future - an encouraging sign."

Hairdressers attribute their contentment to having strong relationships with colleagues, which two out of three say have improved in the last year. Salon professionals also value having an interest in what they do for a living, which 100 per cent of hairdressers believe is important to on-the-job happiness.

Bob Coates continued: "Hairdressers clearly understand the connection between workplace happiness and good relationships with colleagues, which many other employers could learn from. With a clear impact on the bottom line, improving workplace happiness is moving up the business agenda and employers who ignore the debate risk the rise of an unmotivated and unproductive workforce."