The Origins of Happiness

Chapter 4

countries. So this table offers plenty of suggestions for em-

ployers who wish to improve the atmosphere at the work-

place.^24

Using the coefficients in Table 4.8 we can calculate a

quality- of- work index for each member of the sample. We

can then compute how one standard deviation in the qual-

ity of work alters life- satisfaction. It raises life- satisfaction by

0.4 points— a substantial effect.

Table 4.8. How life- satisfaction (0– 10) is affected by various dimen-

sions of workplace quality (European Social Survey)

Life- satisfaction

Wages (log) 0.19 (0.06)

Work hours per week −0.14 (0.19)

Supervisor 0.10 (0.04)

Job is secure 0.23 (0.03)

Good opportunities for promotion 0.25 (0.06)

Job has high autonomy 0.23 (0.02)

High variety in work 0.25 (0.03)

Coworkers are supportive 0.27 (0.03)

High time pressure −0.11 (0.03)

Job interferes with family life −0.49 (0.04)

Worry about work at home −0.32 (0.04)

Job is dangerous −0.37 (0.06)

Country and wave dummies Ye s

2- digit industry dummies Ye s

2- digit occupation dummies Ye s

Observations 21,590

R^2 0.273