KEY POINTS:
It might be surprising news on a Monday morning - but a new survey suggests most New Zealanders are arriving at the office smiling.
The finding in the Eye on New Zealand study by advertising agency G2 found almost four in five - or 78 per cent - of respondents enjoyed their work.
While almost the same number were "loyal" to their employer, 42 per cent replied they were always on the lookout for a better job and one in three were thinking about going abroad.
Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett said it was heartening so many people enjoyed work.
"Employers must be providing a good, nurturing environment."
Fire Service station officer Chris Todd told the Herald there was a lot to like about his job of 20 years.
"I've loved every minute of it."
While there were some hair-raising moments when he was called out to emergencies, Mr Todd said helping people was a highlight.
At the Pitt St station, the crew cook together, which he said added to the sense of camaraderie.
Meanwhile, Clare Graham-Stewart said yesterday she enjoyed working one day a week at an inner-city specialist magazine store.
"It's really relaxed and easy work," said Ms Graham-Stewart, who is in Year 12 at Senior College and eyeing a career as a lawyer. "We get big discounts and get to play our own music."
The wide-ranging study - which surveyed 500 18 to-65-year-olds from an internet research panel - also came up with some rather quirky results.
It found beer manufacturers were seen as more trustworthy than the accounting profession, the rugby union, Telecom or journalists. Auction website Trade Me was regarded as more trustworthy than the police.
Respondents were relatively pessimistic on financial matters, with 45 per cent worried about home affordability, 44 per cent about personal finances and 40 per cent having enough money for retirement.
About one in three said they were extremely concerned or very concerned about the economy.
CLOCKING IN
Of survey respondents:
78% enjoy their work.
76% are "loyal" to their employer.
63% talk about work when they aren't there.
42% are always on the lookout for a better job.
33% are considering moving overseas for better opportunities.
