Survey Reveals Employees Most Thankful for Friends at Work

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At work, as in life, people get by with a little help from their friends, a new OfficeTeam survey shows. When asked recently what they are most thankful for in their jobs, aside from a paycheck, nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of office professionals said friendly coworkers. One in five (20 percent) respondents most appreciate a good benefits program.

The survey of office workers was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 400 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.  

Workers were asked, "Aside from salary, what are you most thankful for at your current job?" Their responses:

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

The survey also revealed differences by age: Respondents over the age of 65 were most thankful for friendly coworkers (40 percent), followed by those between the ages of 18 and 34 (34 percent).

View an infographic of the research highlights.

"Many full-time workers spend more than half of their waking hours at the office, so having friendly colleagues can make all the difference when it comes to job satisfaction," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "While you can't always control who you work with, employees do have a say in other aspects of their job that can improve their overall happiness."

OfficeTeam highlights five small shifts professionals can make to be happier at work:

1. Socialize with coworkers. Participate in activities like team lunches or birthday celebrations. Getting to know colleagues builds camaraderie and makes working together more fun and productive.
2. Step away from the desk. Clear your mind by taking short walks or, weather permitting, enjoying lunch outdoors. Use allotted vacation days so you get adequate time away from work.
3. Explore flexible scheduling options. Find out if your employer supports alternative work arrangements. You may be able to reduce your commute by working from home on certain days or modifying your hours. 
4. Take advantage of perks. Make use of benefits beyond health insurance and vacation time, such as on-site exercise facilities, discount programs or dry cleaning services.  
5. Set goals and meet them. Work toward career objectives by volunteering for stretch assignments outside your normal responsibilities. Build new skills through professional development programs. 

About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam is the nation's leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at officeteam.com.

SOURCE OfficeTeam