An annual survey of 6,000 people across the country revealed that 55 per cent of the legal sector consider themselves either unhappy or very unhappy with their current job.

But lawyers are not the only ones who are not bursting with enthusiasm about going to work. Their high-earning cousins on more than $150,000 per annum are the most likely to be unhappy at work. Those earning less than $15,000 a year have the fewest unhappy workers.

The SEEK survey suggests, however, that it is not pay that determines your unhappiness at work but rather senior management.

According to SEEK CEO Paul Bassat, while Australian workers are generally feeling more positive than they were last year, a lack of confidence in their managers continues to be a significant problem.

“The survey found that it is not poor pay, working hours or stress that is the pet hate of working Australians, but quality of management,” Bassat said.

“According to our research, the three things managers most need to improve is following up their words with action, communicating openly and honestly and better supporting their team.”

Of all people surveyed, working hours were not regarded as a significant cause of unhappiness. This issue ranked as the 11th most important when looking for a job.

Relationships with co-workers have strengthened over the past year. More than 62 per cent of the people surveyed said they love the people they work with, up on last year’s figure of 54 per cent.

“Australian workers might be sceptical of what’s happening at the senior levels of their organisations, but it seems that they mostly enjoy being part of their team,” Bassat said.