The links between unionisation and job satisfaction remain controversial. In keeping with the existing literature we find strong statistically significant negative correlations between unionisation and overall job satisfaction.

The links between unionisation and job satisfaction remain controversial. In keeping with the existing literature we find strong statistically significant negative correlations between unionisation and overall job satisfaction.

Recent work in psychology and economics has investigated ways in which individuals experience their lives. This literature includes influences on individuals’ momentary happiness. We contribute to this literature using a new data source, Mappiness (www.mappiness.org.uk), which permits individuals to record their wellbeing via a smartphone. The data contain more than a million observations on tens of thousands of individuals in the UK, collected since August 2010.

Bob Butcher from NIESR introduced this seminar, noting the importance of the topic for government policy on education, employment and skills, as indicated by representation in the audience from across government.  Dr Steve McIntosh from Sheffield University presented the findings of his critical review of the evidence (to be published this Autumn) and Dr Craig Holmes from Oxford and SKOPE commented on his work with Professor Ken Mayhew on job polarisation.

Bob Butcher, an economist and Visiting Fellow at NIESR, presented the findings from his article on trends in job creation, published in the recent edition of the National Institute Economic Review. Martin Weale from the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee and previous Director of NIESR chaired the seminar. Rebecca Riley from NIESR also provided early findings from her joint project with the Bank on trends in firm level productivity in the recession. 

Festival of Politics 2013

Presentation to Low Pay Commission workshop.