Emotional Well-being Among Public Employees: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

There is growing agreement on the importance of well-being in general and among employees more specifically. One area that has attracted significantly less attention is the well-being of public sector employees, especially from a comparative perspective. This study explored the factors explaining emotional well-being among public sector employees in seven countries. Using data from the European Social Survey, round 6, it examined the importance of the work environment, of belonging to the public sector, and of belonging to the country and their effects on well-being. We found public sector employees had a higher level of emotional well-being than non-public sector employees. However, belonging to the public sector was less important than other factors. The country context and soft features of the work environment were important to public sector employees, but not just to them, and were reflected differently in different countries.