A labour of love for SA’s workers
We’re among the happiest — especially at Eskom
WHILE many local employees may grumble about being overworked and underpaid, South Africa has one of the happiest workforces in the world.
Despite high unemployment rates, South Africans are generally fulfilled and rarely jobhop. Growth opportunities, mentorship and perks such as personal trainers and sleeping pods are some of the reasons why companies are enjoying a loyal workforce.
South Africa ranked fifth in the Global Workforce Happiness Index, in which more than 250 000 workers in 55 markets throughout the world — including more than 20 000 South African professionals — took part.
South Africa, according to the research, fell in the “fulfilled” category, which meant employees “are satisfied, feel positive and are not interested in changing jobs”, and “these are your stable, loyal employees”.
The report warns, however, that employers should never assume fulfilled employees will stay that way.
Eskom might be public enemy No 1 for many South Africans, but when it comes to employment it is rated as one of the best companies to work for.
Eskom was ranked among the top five engineering and technology concerns, with Sasol, BHP Billiton and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. In the business category, Google, SAB, Investec, Coca-Cola and Woolworths hit the high note.
The study was conducted by Universum, a Swedish employer branding expert, and released last week. It ranked countries based on the happiness and loyalty of their workforces.
South Africa was the highestranked African country and No 5 globally, behind Belgium, Norway, Costa Rica and Denmark.
The UK ranked just 30th on the list. Morocco, Nigeria and Japan came in at the bottom.
David Rachidi, Universum’s marketing manager for Africa, said the index calculated employees’ satisfaction at current jobs, the likelihood of their recommending employers and their sense of job loyalty.
“Factors such as work-life balance, remuneration and career development opportunities are key contributors to the level of satisfaction and happiness among professionals.”
The survey analyses loyalty on mobility and intention. “We have such high unemployment levels . . . and mobility is generally on the low side, compared to 2010-12,” said Rachidi.
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said its skills development programme to train engineers, technicians and artisans was one of its drawcards.
“Eskom has a clear path for LOOKED AFTER: Nap time for Nestlé employees’ toddlers at an on-site crèche in Bryanston FIT FOR DUTY: Bryanston fitness instructor Prudence Mlambo is always ready at the company gym PETTED: Jara with a broken toe is allowed to be at the office young professionals from the time they join the organisation through to retirement. As soon as young professionals join, there are programmes to assist them to acquire skills and behaviour that enables them to meet their work challenges,” Phasiwe said.
Roxanne Dallas of Mass Staffing Projects said professionals gravitated towards companies that offered opportunity, growth and mentorship.
“We are seeing the likes of Google and Apple offering excellent benefits like sleep pods and personal trainers.
“Unfortunately, not all companies can afford to offer this. Sometimes taking five minutes to say ‘You’re doing a good job’ is all that is needed to bring an employee back from the ledge.
“Our economy has forced people to become a lot more creative and we’re seeing new opportunities and markets coming to the fore that were previously not there.
“Our economy requires everyone to be a salesperson. More positions are client-facing . . . requiring everyone in the company to be involved in some sort of business development.”