The annual Shift Pulse Report 2025 from global workforce platform Deputy reveals a 3.79 pp year-on-year drop in shift worker satisfaction to 72.21%, and a Net Happiness Score down to 65.43%. Healthcare roles top the unhappiness chart, with 37.84% of doctors and clinic staff reporting negative sentiment—nearly five times the national average.
Most Dissatisfied Sectors
- Medical Clinics & Doctors’ Offices: 37.84% negative
- Animal Health: 17.95% negative
- Chiropractors: 12.93% negative
- Critical & Emergency Services: 12.05% negative
- Call Centres: 12.00% negative
- Care Facilities: 6.22% negative
Staff shortages, emotional strain, unpredictable rosters, and an ageing population are cited as key drivers of low morale in healthcare and care services.
Happiest Major Industries
- Retail: 75.63% satisfied
- Hospitality: 75.41% satisfied
- Services: 71.79% satisfied
Top 5 Happiest Sub-Sectors
- Tobacco & Vape Stores: 93.42% positive
- Sit-Down Restaurants: 89.73% positive
- Fast Food/Cashier Restaurants: 82.88% positive
- Florists: 82.86% positive
- Food Pop-Ups: 82.45% positive
These roles benefit from routine, manageable workloads, and strong team camaraderie.
Regional Highlights
- Warwickshire leads with a Net Happiness Score of 88.26%
- Manchester: 82.58%
- Greater London: 75.87%
- Edinburgh: 75.93%
In contrast, the West Midlands posts the lowest score at 7.15%, with 35.71% reporting negative sentiment.
“This year’s report highlights one of the UK’s most pressing issues: healthcare workers are nearing breaking point. Unless we tackle the root causes of burnout, we risk not only losing frontline talent but the long-term viability of critical community services,” said Emma Seymour, CFO at Deputy.
“At the same time, the report delivers a clear message for business leaders: how your people feel during their shifts directly impacts how your business performs. From productivity and retention to customer experience and profitability—morale matters. Our data shows that when workers feel supported, operations run smoother and businesses thrive. But where burnout and stress go unaddressed, the commercial impact compounds quickly. It’s time we treat emotional wellbeing as a business metric, not just an HR one.”
