Happy at work?

An impressive 40 per cent of the chirpy workers said that they are happy at their job, putting them head and shoulders above other occupations.

Coming out in the poll, as the unhappiest are social workers, architects civil servants and estate agents, with only two per cent of social workers and architects enjoying their work.

In the survey, carried out by qualifications body City and Guilds, 1,200 employees were asked how they felt about going to work.

Two out of five hairdressers said they were extremely happy in their job.

Nicola Liddell, hairdresser at Ambiance, Bath Road, Old Town enjoys every day she spends at work. She said: "I love my job. I've been a hairdresser for 20 years and I'm very happy.

"If I didn't enjoy what I do, I wouldn't be in the job."

Nicola thinks that being happy and upbeat is part of the requirements of being a hairdresser.

She said: "You can't have a miserable hairdresser it wouldn't work. "Chatting is a big part of the job."

According to the City and Guilds research, vocational workers such as builders, electricians, cooks and hairdressers were happier in their jobs than white collar staff and felt more appreciated in work.

Tradesmen and women also had a better social life at work than white collar employees such as accountants, bankers, estate agents or scientists.

Nicola said: "I meet new people every day.

"I also have regulars that come in. It's very social. I've made lots of friends over the years."

Members of the clergy were second in the poll with 24 per cent saying they enjoyed their work.

Baptist Minister John Roe, of the Lawn Community Church, thinks that his job is extremely satisfying.

After working in an office-based job for 25 years, John decided that he needed a change of vocation.

Three years ago he changed his life to become a Baptist Minister.

John said: "I listened to my calling. It was a big decision but I've got no regrets in making the change."

John said: "I am constantly involved in meeting people in all sectors of the community.

"This is more than a way of life than a job."

The City and Guilds research said that more and more people wanted to feel that their job could make a difference to people's lives.

Chris Humphries, director general of City and Guilds said: "Nowadays true job satisfaction and happiness is about fulfilling your potential, tapping into your own creativity and feeling that you can make a difference.

"More people than ever are swapping their desk-bound jobs for a vocation that enables them to be hands-on, use their brain and be in charge of their own destiny."

As people are spending more time at work he added that it is important we enjoy the work we do and build on the skills that we are good at.

The poll also suggests that workers in general are more happy in their work than they were a year ago.

Where are you in the league table?

WHEN people were asked if they were happy at their work, the percentages were:

1 Hairdressers 40 per cent

2 Clergy 24 per cent

3 Chefs-cooks 23 per cent

4 Beauticians 22 per cent

5 Plumbers 20per cent

6 Mechanics 20 per cent

7 Builders 20 per cent

8 Electricians 18 per cent

9 Florists 18 per cent

10 Fitness instructors 18 per cent

11 Care assistants 18 per cent

12 Health care professionals 17 per cent

13 Media 16 per cent

14 Chartered engineers 15 per cent

15 Pharmacists 15 per cent

16 Scientists 15 per cent

17 Butchers 14 per cent

18 DJs 13 per cent

19 Interior designers 9 per cent

20 Travel agents 9 per cent

21 Teachers 8 per cent

22 Bankers 8 per cent

23 Accountants 7 per cent

24 IT Specialists 5 per cent

25 Lawyers 5 per cent

26 Secretaries 5 per cent

27 Estate agents 4 per cent

28 Civil Servants 3 per cent

29 Architects 2 per cent

30 Social Workers 2 per cent

Lyndsay Scanlan