In a recent study conducted by employment platform Seek, baby boomers have emerged as the most content employees in Australia, while Generation Z reports the lowest levels of job satisfaction.

The findings, part of Seek’s second Workplace Happiness Index, indicate that only 57 percent of Australians are generally happy in their jobs, with a concerning 33 percent expressing dread about going to work.

Among the generations, baby boomers top the happiness scale with 73 percent feeling satisfied in their roles. In contrast, millennials and Gen Z workers report lower happiness levels, at 54 percent and 56 percent respectively.

Generation Z, the youngest cohort in the workforce, appears to be grappling with significant challenges. Nearly half, 47 percent, report experiencing burnout and exhaustion, and 41 percent frequently feel apprehensive about heading to work.

The study also highlights a regional variation in workplace happiness. Western Australia leads with 62 percent of its workers feeling happy, trailed closely by Queensland and South Australia, both at 61 percent.

This contrasted sharply with Victoria (53 per cent) and New South Wales (55 per cent), with the latter state in particular seeing a six per cent fall in workers’ happiness over their job security in particular.

What makes workers happy

A sense of purpose remains the most important driver of job satisfaction, the report found, followed by day-to-day responsibilities and senior leadership.

Kylie Pascoe, from SEEK’s Customer Insights & Research team, comments: “What’s particularly interesting about this year’s findings is that purpose at work continues to be the biggest driver of happiness at work, while the importance of senior leadership has risen, up three places on last year’s survey,” Kylie Pascoe from Seek’s customer insights and research team said.

“We’re seeing a shift away from motivators like workload demand and your manager, as people place more importance on feeling that their work matters and that their senior leaders are on the journey with them.”

The research revealed that when it comes to what Australians are currently happiest with at work, their location of work (67 per cent happy), team/colleagues (61 per cent) and work-life balance (60 per cent) top the list.

On the other hand, workers remained overall dissatisfied with employer commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles (34 per cent happy), career opportunities (37 per cent), and salaries (42 per cent).

“It’s clear that many Australians are struggling to find fulfilment in their roles,” Transitioning Well organisational psychologist Justine Alter said.

“The continued focus we’re seeing toward purpose-driven work shows people aren’t just looking for a paycheck – they want to feel their work matters.”

She urged those Australians who dreaded going to work to look for “small ways” to add meaning to their jobs, including mentoring or finding projects that aligned with their interests.

“And remember, sometimes a simple conversation about workload or stress levels may lead to practical solutions you hadn’t considered,” she said.