The developers of Dublin Airport Central, now under construction opposite Terminal 2, have conducted a survey of employees focused on their jobs and work environment which shows that just 13% consider they have a good work/life balance and one-third would not recommend their employer to a friend.

The survey of 1,000 workers asked what the respondents really think of their jobs and where they work, how much of their lives is devoted to the job, and if they are happy at work.

Among the conclusions were:

• Job satisfaction is the most important aspect of a job
• 15% of those surveyed were not completely happy with their current work environment, with this being a key factor in switching jobs
• Only 13% of Irish workers said they had a great work/life balance
• A third wouldn’t recommend the company they work for to a friend
• 50% of Irish workers often work overtime
• 18% of Irish workers surveyed never socialise with their colleagues
• 69% of those surveyed want to work for a company that cares about society and the world we live in.

The new complex at Dublin Airport (GGI image above) is a mix of offices, shops and ‘social amenities’, and is set to come to market this year. 

In the survey, both younger and older workers listed job satisfaction as most important, at 51% and 50% respectively. For 18 to 24-year-olds, the second most important aspect was a good salary, followed by job security. However, this was the opposite for the over-55s, with job security being the second most important factor, followed by a good salary, indicating differing priorities at different stages in life.

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The only age bracket with views that differed from the overall result was those aged 45-54, where the most important thing was job security over job satisfaction and then a good salary.

It seems most workers struggle to juggle work and personal life, with 20% saying their work/life balance was either ‘terrible’ or ‘not quite terrible’ and only 13% saying it was ‘great’. 

No surprise, then, that flexible hours and paid overtime topped the list of desirable perks, at 34% and 24% respectively. Wellbeing initiatives, very popular with bosses at present, came far behind among workers, at 11%.

Small things matter too, according to the survey results. The most popular ‘small thing’ at work turns out to be ‘quality coffee or tea’, scoring 20%, with a chill out area and ergonomic office furniture and equipment close behind at 15% and 14%. Things like a games room or Friday drinks brought up the rear.

The full results of the survey are available here.