Hairdressers 'happiest at work'

When it comes to happiness at work, hairdressers appear to be a cut above the rest, a new league table suggests.

According to examiner City & Guilds, hairdressers are the happiest workers in the UK, with two out of five saying they are very content in their job.

Next in the happiness stakes are the clergy, chefs, beauticians, and plumbers and mechanics.

In contrast, social workers, architects, civil servants and estate agents made up the foot of the table.

Only 2% of social workers and architects say they are extremely happy at work, according to the survey.

Happy crimpers

Jonathan Pickup, who has been a hairdresser for 21 years, and works at the Slice Salon in Newcastle, says he loves his job.

"It's quite a young environment - it's quite trendy. You mix with quite a lot of young people. You get to my age and it is quite nice to be around people who are eager in their job," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Wake Up to Money programme.

A TUC report issued this week found hairdressers did less unpaid overtime than any other occupation.

Michael Osbaldeston of City & Guilds said there were plenty of reasons why hairdressers should be happy.

"It is the relationship they have with their client which makes the job what it is," he said.

"They are appreciated. They make people feel good and look good. Many of them have the opportunity to be their own bosses and that also seems to be something that is quite important in people's happiness."

Other current News & Offers