Despite the recession, the CIPD has reported a rise in job satisfaction in the UK.

According to a new study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), job satisfaction among UK employees has surprisingly increased despite the economic downturn.

In a survey of more than 3,000 employees, the CIPD found that the net proportion of people satisfied with their job had risen considerably since 2006. The proportion of people whose jobs make them cheerful has also seen a significant rise.

However the CIPD suggests that the rise could be attributed to the fact that people are more likely to adopt a “grin and bear it” attitude during the economic crisis.

The survey also suggests that there are some underlying problems that could cause weakened morale in the near future. 75% of respondents have stated that their organisation has been affected by the recession with half of them reporting an increase in work-related stress as a consequence.

The global downturn has given some employees cause for concern with the proportion of people who say their job makes them worried or tense rising from 2006 figures. In addition, nearly six out of ten employees state that they are worried about the future.

Ben Willmott, Senior Public Policy Adviser at the CIPD, said: “Job satisfaction may have edged up ¬– but this could be the employee opinion survey equivalent of a fixed grin.

“Employees grateful to have a job at all are less likely to grumble, and more likely to see scorched earth rather than greener grass on the other side of the fence.”

Mr Willmott goes on to state that the “survey highlights the impact the recession is having on the workplace” and warns employers of potential problems associated with the downturn.

He said: “Without action to tackle some of the stresses and strains that are clear in our survey, employers could find employee health and wellbeing deteriorating, and employee engagement tailing off at precisely the time they need all hands to the pump to survive the recession and thrive in the recovery.”