Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Time Use Survey shed light on how those who work in health and social assistance positions rate their work for meaning, happiness and stress.
Specifically, the Washington Post recently analyzed more than 13,000 time journals from survey to determine the types of work in which people are the happiest, find the most meaning and are the least stressed.
On a six-point scale, the industry of health and social assistance received a 4.9 rating for meaning and rated 4.0 for happiness and 2.6 for stress.
Only one industry of the 18 examined topped the health and social assistance industry’s rating of 4.9 for meaning. That was agriculture, logging and forestry, which received a 5.2.
Only five industries of the 18 were rated higher than health and social assistance, at 4.0, for happiness, putting the health and social assistance industry in the top third. The other industries there were agriculture, logging and forestry, at 4.4; real estate, rental and leasing, at 4.2; construction; management, administrative and waste, at 4.2; and information, at 4.1.
Only three industries of the 18 were rated higher for stress than was the health and social assistance industry, at 2.6. Educational services and finance and insurance each rated 2.9, and professional, scientific and technical services was rated 2.7. Two other industries — real estate, rental and leasing; and durable goods manufacturing — were rated the same as health and social assistance, and all other industries were rated as being less stressful.
What should we take away from the results? The authors of the Washington Post analysis said that people who work outdoors or have access to nature at work have more happiness and meaning in their work. If you can find a way to incorporate nature into your workplace, or time to enjoy nature during your workday, it could be beneficial.
Beyond that, the results reinforce that health and social assistance work holds lots of meaning for those who do it. How often have you heard someone say that the work is a calling?
Workers in this category rated it fairly well for happiness, too. It’s only speculation, but perhaps seeing the work as a calling helps with that happiness.
And although those working in health and social assistance positions don’t rate their work the most stressful compared with some other industries, it certainly is an area where the industry could work toward improvement.
Lois A. Bowers is the editor of McKnight’s Senior Living. Read her other columns here.
