My father had a question he asked people all the time, writes Gerald Haigh. “Are you happy at your work?” he’d say. Sometimes he was serious, sometimes ironic, and sometimes it was just a version of “hello”.

Now it’s my signature question, too. And I have the same conviction my father held: to relish your job, to know that whatever happens you can handle it and be appreciated, are things to be cherished. And these things – it’s been proven – are more important than money.

This should encourage school leaders: while they have only limited powers to remunerate, they do have plenty of opportunities to make their colleagues’ working lives more pleasant. I thought of that when I read about the Gallup organisation’s 25-year-long investigation into what makes “a strong workplace”, one in which people are content and effective.

Gallup interviewed a million workers and asked them hundreds of questions. It came up with 12 key questions which by massive agreement measure workplace satisfaction. As you read them, consider whether you, as a leader, feel that these are areas in which you could make a difference if you tried a bit harder.


Measuring workplace satisfaction

1 Do I know what is expected of me at work? 2 Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right? 3 At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day? 4 In the past seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work? 5 Does my supervisor seem to care about me as a person? 6 Is there someone at work who encourages my development? 7 Do my opinions seem to count? 8 Am I made to feel that my work is important? 9 Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work? 10 Do I have a best friend at work? 11 In the past six months, have I talked with someone about my progress? 12 At work, have I had opportunities to learn and grow?