PERSOL Group: 2nd “Work, and Smile” Global Survey Results Preliminary Announcement Scores for work experience, evaluation, and choices in Japan all declined versus previous year

Updated：December 8, 2022

TOKYO, Japan – PERSOL HOLDINGS CO., LTD., in collaboration with the Well-being for Planet Earth Foundation, conducted a global survey between June 2021 and March 2022 in 122 countries and regions through the Gallup World Poll, the world’s largest public opinion poll, to measure if and to what level the PERSOL Group’s vision, “Work, and Smile,” can be realized by people around the world. This was the second such survey, following on from the previous year.
https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/sustainability/well-being/worlddata/

PERSOL Group: 2nd “Work, and Smile” Global Survey Results

The survey aims to measure the level of “Work, and Smile” through the “Workplace Wellbeing Indicators,” which are defined by analyzing the state of “Work, and Smile” into three elements: work experience, work evaluation, and work choices.

Questions:
Q1. Do you enjoy the work you do in your job every day, or not? (Work experience)
Q2. Do you think the work you do in your job significantly improves the lives of other people outside of your own household, or not? (Work evaluation)
Q3. Do you, personally, have many choices in regard to the type of work you can do in your life? (Work choices)

The percentage of respondents worldwide who answered “Yes” declined by 1.6% for Q1 and 0.2% for Q2 versus the previous year, while the percentage for Q3 was unchanged ^(*)
The percentage of respondents in Japan who answered “Yes” declined for all three questions, and Japan’s worldwide ranking also declined.
In particular, Japan’s score for Q2 “Work evaluation” (Societal contribution and perceived work significance) fell by 8%.

(*Comparison of 113 countries surveyed for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021)

■Survey Results

1.Survey Results: Global

‐ The percentage of respondents worldwide who answered “Yes” declined by 1.6% for Q1 and 0.2% for Q2 versus the previous year, while the percentage for Q3 was unchanged.

‐ The top scoring countries were the Republic of El Salvador for Q1, the Republic of Latvia for Q2, and the Republic of the Philippines for Q3.

‐ In particular, the Republic of the Philippines also ranked third for Q2 and recorded higher scores than the previous year across all questions.
Q1: 92.9% (up by 1.6%); Q2: 89.3% (up by 9.4%); Q3: 88.6% (up by 18.3%)

2.Survey Results: Japan

– In the 2021 survey, the percentage of respondents in Japan who answered “Yes” to each of Q1-3 declined, and Japan’s position in the world rankings also fell.

– In particular, the percentage of respondents who answered “Yes” to Q2, “Do you think the work you do in your job significantly improves the lives of other people outside of your own household, or not?” (Work evaluation), declined significantly by 8% versus the previous year.

*Find the survey results for all 122 participating countries here: https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/sustainability/well-being/worlddata/
*The results of the previous year’s survey, which were analyzed by cross-referencing the Workplace Wellbeing Indicators with other questions in the Gallup World Poll, revealed the following. (Find the press release detailing the previous year’s survey results here: https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/news/20220331_370/)
– There is a correlation between how much one engages with work and how much enjoyment one feels when working;
– There is a correlation between having many options for work or ways of working and one’s own expectations for the future.

■The PERSOL Group’s Initiatives

Through this survey, we aim to measure the level of realization of the “Work, and Smile” concept and the state of wellbeing of working people around the world, and to use the results as common indicators for measuring and improving the wellbeing of working people. To this end, we are implementing the following initiatives.

1.Promotion of utilization of survey indicators in society
We are working to expand the network of companies and organizations that use the three questions of the “Work, and Smile” survey to conduct surveys of their employees and customers, allowing a greater range of organizations to share initiatives and conduct related research and analysis.

Case Study: “Work, and Smile“ survey used as a requirement for Fukuoka City’s registration system
In April 2022, Fukuoka City launched the Fukuoka City Well-being & SDGs Registration System in order to support businesses striving to improve the wellbeing of their workers and to achieve the SDGs. One of the requirements for application to this system is to use the Workplace Wellbeing Indicators to measure workers’ job satisfaction.

2.”Work, and Smile“ ongoing global survey and detailed analysis:
The PERSOL Group will continue to conduct annual surveys and compare results. We will also work with research institutions such as the PERSOL Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. to conduct factor analysis and other types of studies that will lead to improved “Work, and Smile” realization. In addition, the results of these surveys will be made widely available as open data to deepen research and analysis.

The PERSOL Group will continue to expand its efforts to realize its Group vision “Work, and Smile,” including promoting the utilization of the Workplace Wellbeing Indicators through collaboration with a wide range of companies, local governments, research institutions, and other organizations.

■Comments on this Survey

Takao Wada, Representative Director, President and CEO, PERSOL HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

As the environment in which we live and work undergoes a major transformation, we believe it will become even more important for each individual to proactively envision their own work. We are convinced that it is important to visualize the subjective sense of “Workplace Wellbeing” as perceived by each individual through this survey and to continue to monitor the trends on an ongoing basis in order to make them aware of a greater sense of “Workplace Wellbeing.” We will strive to increase the number of options available to individuals and, by continuing to conduct this survey, along with research and promotion initiatives, will aim to make the Workplace Wellbeing Indicators a common set of indicators worldwide, leading to the realization of the “Work, and Smile” concept for all individuals.

“Work, and Smile“ Global Survey Overview
Objective: Development of “Work, and Smile” indicators, surveys, and research
Partner: Well-being for Planet Earth (WPE Foundation)
Target: Approx. 1,000 individuals per country x 122 countries and regions
Period: Jun 2021–Mar 2022
Method: International public opinion poll Gallup World Poll.^(*) Three additional questions about “Work, and Smile” were added.

(*) The world’s largest public opinion poll, conducted annually since 2005 by Gallup in the United States. The poll sees approximately 1,000 people per country aged 15 and older respond and is conducted in approximately 150 countries and regions representing 99% of the world’s population

Background of the Survey
In October 2019, the PERSOL Group formulated a new group vision, “Work, and Smile” with the aim of realizing a society in which each individual can decide how they want to work and lead a fulfilling life. To realize this vision, we will investigate the current state of affairs and research its value to society. Furthermore, we will promote the importance of “Work, and Smile” to society through the corporate activities of the PERSOL Group.

Survey Questions
Survey takers answered the following questions with “Yes”, “No”, “Don’t know” or “Don’t want to answer”:
Q1. Do you enjoy the work you do in your job every day, or not?
Q2. Do you think the work you do in your job significantly improves the lives of other people outside of your own household, or not?
Q3. Do you, personally, have many choices in regard to the type of work you can do in your life?

Intent of the Questions
In this survey, two elements that indicated “Work, and Smile” were included in the questions. “Feeling pleasure and enjoyment” in Question 1 referred to individuals’ overall experience, and “connected to improving people’s lives” in Question 2 referred to their evaluation of whether their work has a positive effect on society.
In addition, the PERSOL Group believes that autonomous career choice is essential to the realization of “Work, and Smile.” This element is incorporated into Question 3.

■About the PERSOL Group < https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/ >

Under the Group Vision “Work, and Smile,” the PERSOL Group engages in diverse services concerning people and organizations, which include temporary staffing service “Tempstaff,” career improvement service “doda,” IT-outsourcing, and design development.

■About PERSOL HOLDINGS

Since its founding in 1973, Tempstaff Co., Ltd. (now PERSOL TEMPSTAFF CO., LTD.) group companies have been involved in comprehensive human resources services by placing temporary and permanent staff in outsourcing services and career transition (outplacement) support. The holding company, formed in October 2008 as Temp Holdings Co., Ltd. at the time of the transition of management to the holdings system, changed its name to PERSOL HOLDINGS CO., LTD. in July 2017.
The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Prime Market (stock code 2181) and has recorded the group’s consolidated sales of 1,060.8 billion yen (fiscal year ended March 2022).