It’s Monday; time for a new job

May 29, 2006

It’s Monday; time for a new job

A new survey out today reveals some interesting traits among Kiwi workers and how their attitude to the start of the week can reflect how they feel about work.

‘Project Monday’, a survey run by independent agency TNS, reveals that Kiwis who are unhappy at work are driven more by money and perks. On the contrary, those who greet the new week with glee are more likely to value helping people.

Jude Manuel, Director of employment web site www.search4jobs.co.nz, says the survey’s findings support the business’ experience that workers tend to think about their job satisfaction most often on Mondays.

“Monday-itis is alive and well among a good proportion of Kiwi workers. The Project Monday survey shows us exactly what New Zealanders do think about their jobs on the first day of the week,” Ms Manuel says.

As it turns out, not much for some sectors of the workforce.

“While almost half the working population feels OK about Mondays, most agree going home at the end of the first workday is best thing about the day,” Ms Manuel says.

“Other data reveals that in the past 12 months, more than a third of working Kiwis have turned up with a hangover. And, of those younger than 34, one in five has called in sick two or more times in the past 12 months.”

Wary of office politics? Four out of 10 people who have been in a job for between six and eight years are more likely to dislike workplace gamesmanship. On the other hand, under 30 per cent of those who have been in a job for less than a year rate politics as the worst thing about it.

As for the most important things in a job, the people you work with (66 per cent) and the work environment (60) rate highly overall –­ but not with people who hate Mondays and younger workers. Money, perks and social life are key job satisfaction drivers for them.

Regionally, Aucklanders are more likely than the rest of working New Zealand to state location is important to them in a job.

Wellingtonians are more likely to dislike their bosses more and tend to believe work is exploiting them. They are also more likely to have itchy feet – nearly three out of 10 workers in the capital say they look for a new job once or twice a week.

As for age groups, young workers are most likely to value money, perks and a social life as important things in a job, while helping people is more important for those aged 55 and older.

Almost a third of those interviewed regard bosses as “pretty average” with workers in Christchurch more likely to say so. Males are more critical than females in stating their boss is great at his or her job but not a great boss.

While more men than women ranked career advancement as the most important factor in a job, women claimed to behave more professionally – 66 percent said they hadn’t arrived at work on a Monday with a hangover in the past 12 months.

Other highlights of the national[1] survey in early May include: around a quarter of New Zealanders are looking at job ads weekly; 25 per cent young people complain about being bored at work; three to five years is the critical itch period when employees are statistically more likely to look for a new job.

“The research also indicates there’s an employment honeymoon period with workers who have been in a job for less than a year feeling more positive about going to work on Mondays,” Ms Manuel says.

“People who have been in their jobs for two years or less are significantly more likely to have found their current role through the internet.”

But if there’s one thing nearly half the working population agrees about Mondays, it’s that only politicians should have to turn up on the first day of the working week.

www.search4jobs.co.nz is an easy-to-navigate online employment site bringing job seekers and employers together. The site also includes advice for job seekers and information about who got what job.

ENDS

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