UK WORKERS are some of the most dissatisfield employees in Europe, according to an international workplace survey.

The Kelly World at Work survey, undertaken by recruitment agency Kelly Services, found that less than half - 47 per cent - of workers surveyed in the UK were either happy or very happy with their current position.

This compares to 68 per cent in Scandinavia, 61 per cent in France, 53 per cent in Italy and Switzerland and 50 per cent in Russia and Germany.

The survey also found that employees were particularly unhappy with their salaries, health benefits and training opportunities.

Steve Girdler, marketing director of Kelly Services UK, said: "Today’s workforce is changing due to many factors. The economy, a sluggish retail sector and confusion about the future of European trade all contribute to people feeling uncertain and concerned.

"These days people make career changes more than ever and more feel empowered to be a 'free agent' to pursue a freelance path. Understanding these motivations and helping employees chart their own course in the company with proper training and incentives is key.

"Today’s society is more about instant gratification - people’s overall expectations are significantly higher than in the past. This carries over into what workers expect from employers.

"People want increased transparency from their employers with ethics much higher on the agenda. Employees need to feel valued rather than a cog in a machine."