Accountants value good workmates over big salaries

6 Nov 2015

Good working relationships with colleagues, self-worth and the nature of the job are more important than a big salary or stressful job promotion, reveals a survey of work attitudes conducted by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

Eight in ten of the 2,000 people polled said they would turn down a big salary increase if it meant working with people or an environment they didn't like.

Work relationships also proved an important factor when choosing to stay in a job. Eight in ten respondents said they would not want a job that paid more if it meant they didn’t get on with their workmates. And three quarters would struggle to accept a job that gave them more money if they knew it would be a lot more stressful.

The results showed people are the most important factor in work happiness, along with enjoying the role and getting on with the boss. A manageable commute was also deemed more important than good pay.

Chief executive Mark Farrar said: ‘The results show that, when it comes to working happiness, money is far from the driving factor for most of us.

‘Of course, life dictates that we earn as much as we can to maintain or improve our circumstances, but most deemed working with good people or in a role they feel valued in as more important than the salary.

‘Many respondents had turned down higher paid jobs because it would have meant less time with the family and a poor work-life balance.’

The study also found a third had left a job despite it being well paid - mainly due to the high pressure nature of the role and a lack of appreciation from senior staff. Over a quarter had also refused a promotion or better paying job opportunity because it would have meant less time with the family.

Pay was only the sixth biggest factor behind people staying in their current job - with Brits prioritising good relationships with those around them, enjoying the role and the commuting time over thinking about the money.

‘I’m not surprised at all by the results of this study,’ said Olivia Hill, head of HR at AAT. ‘It just goes to show that there is more to work than just money as the common perception can be. People don’t want stress in their lives and a great way to stay stress free is to work in an environment you find comfortable, with people you like and with a manageable workload.’

Only 15% of respondents actively disliked their current job.

When asked why they were unhappy, respondents were more likely to feel the nature of the work was dull and unfulfilling, or that their boss didn’t appreciate them than they were to say their pay was too low.

Mark Farrar added: ‘It’s interesting how much status and recognition play a big part in happiness at work alongside the promise of progression and building towards something more.’