What kind of job can enjoy both satisfied salary and freedom in leisure times? The happiest job this year, freelancer, can be the answer.
Is salary the only factor of work happiness? According to “2015 Chinese Happiness Index”, 52.5% replied “not much corelated, 35.1% replied “more money, more happiness”, and 12.4% replied “less money, more happiness”.
Although most of respondent seems carefree about money, they are quite sensitive when comparing salaries. This can be shown by “salary” is ranked top in “top 10 factors affecting happiness of Chinese”.
Income and leisure are the key to happiness
“top 10 factors affecting happiness of Chinese”, income ranked the 1st factor, followed by utilizing talent, personal development, workplace relationships, and interest. Welfare, work reputation, views from supervisors, job rank, and company status ranked 6th to 10th respectively.
Interestingly, when it comes to income, most respondents think that the benefit that boost up happiness most is year-end bonus. On the other hand, benefits like paid leave, tours, body checks, and performance bonus do have significant boost to their happiness level.
As shown above, considerable income and guaranteed leisure time are both important in work happiness. More than 91.8% of respondents said that they want to lower the working hours in exchange for the time with family and friends.
What kind of work can ensure both income and leisure? If you can’t think of one, the “happiest job in public view” might give you an idea.
Why freelancer can be ranked the top?
This year, the ranking freelancer, teacher, government officials, artisan, civil servants, tour guide, entrepreneur, fitness coach, actors, start-up business owner respectively.
Isn’t freelancer a dream job that satisfy both money and time? By mean of money, the ”2014 O2O freelancer analysis report” from a large website reveals that 68% of O2O freelancer’s pre-tax income are above 5000RMB per month, 9% of them can even reach over 10000RMB, and only 14% earn below 3000RMB. Some notable freelancer job includes car valuation (16623RMB/mo.), massager (12244RMB/mo.), reflexologist (9823RMB/mo.), manicuring (8014RMB/mo.). By means of time, freelancer can be released from regular working routine and workplace social stress.
That’s why there are many workers with professional talents quit their job to become freelancers.
Civil servant no longer ranked top after 2012.
Comparison chart of top 3 in recent years:
On 2014, freelancer ranked 4th, behind government officials, management, teacher. In 2013 ranked 6th, behind teacher, government officials, management, artist, civil servant. In 2012, freelance ranked 6th, behind civil servant, government officials, teacher, artist, management.
Job happiness is affected by economy environment
Scholars suggested that the rising happiness level of freelancer means positive in our society. The phenomenon reflects that the public is putting down the feudal mindset of valuing career as different social strata. People start to accept other positions that make one self-sufficient.
The survey shows that it is the first time the happiness level of freelancer surpasses traditionally “stable” jobs like civil servants and teachers. This result can be explained by economic environment. As now the “stable” jobs are now far less stable in this fast-changing environment, the stress casted on the works are much higher than before, resulting lowered happiness level.
Second, the opportunity cost seeking a “stable” job is high. People often need high education background, or even fierce competition, to win a place. However, the imbalance between such effort and the income cast negative effect to their work happiness. Unlike those “Stable” job, freelancers are not suffered by such imbalance, resulting higher happiness level.
Third, most freelancers love freedom in work with casual interpersonal relationship. Freelancing help them to achieve such freedom without lowering income, which leads to higher happiness level.
