Nearly three-quarters of Irish employees admit to having a ‘work personality’

by HRHQ Editorial Team

New research from the Human Workplace Index by Workhuman found that the majority of employees in Ireland have adopted ‘work personas’ for interacting with colleagues. The findings show that nearly three-quarters (73%) of employees admit that they have a ‘work personality’ that is different from how they interact with family or friends.

The survey of 1,000 full-time employees in Ireland was commissioned by Workhuman and conducted by Pollfish to gain insights into attitudes and connections in the workplace. Of those who have a ‘work personality’, 49% say they ‘always’ act differently in the workplace versus how they would with family or friends. When asked why they have adopted a different persona, 57% admitted that they don’t want to be their true selves around colleagues, while 52% don’t know how to be their true selves.

The research found that this switching into ‘work mode’ is helping employees to do a good job. Some 84% of respondents with a work personality say it makes them feel more engaged at work, while 88% feel it helps them to be more productive. However, having a work personality makes 53% of employees feel less connected to their colleagues.                        

Some employees expressed a nervousness about being more open about themselves in their place of work. When asked how they feel about bringing their ‘whole selves’ to work and being authentic in who they are in the workplace, 17% of employees say they are uncomfortable doing so. In fact, 20% of respondents say their colleagues don’t know the real them – and 49% of those want it that way.

Workhuman’s research found that the majority of employees in Ireland are seeking meaningful connections in their workplace. Over three-quarters (78%) of those surveyed feel their workplace should provide more opportunities for people to show their true personalities, while 77% would like more social events with work colleagues such as after-work drinks and office birthday celebrations.

The survey found that over half (57%) of respondents have had a major life event or milestone such as a significant birthday or a new house go unnoticed or ignored in their workplace in the last 12 months. People’s personal achievements unrelated to work, including completing marathons, doing charity work, or competition wins, are recognised in 70% of respondents’ organisations, and 65% of those say that it improves workplace morale