The profession is thanked 37 times a day, five times more than the UK’s average worker, according to a recent survey
Bus and coach drivers are said to be the UK’s most thanked workers, receiving a thank you on average 37 times a day – five times greater than the national average. As many as four in 10 coach and bus drivers get thanked over 50 times a day; much more than other sectors such as healthcare and retail, where just 1% and 3% of workers are thanked 50 times a day respectively.
The survey of 2,000 passengers and 1,158 coach and bus drivers also found four-fifths of Brits thank their driver, with nine in 10 drivers saying a thank you positively affects their well-being. Those in the Midlands and East of England are the most likely to express their gratitude, followed by those in the North East and West and North Yorkshire, the survey found, whilst Londoners were the least likely to thank their driver.
The research commissioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport found that over half of UK workers wished they were thanked more for their job; feeling unappreciated was found to be one of the biggest complaints among UK workers (22%), second only to salary (26%).
Being appreciated was listed as one of the best things about being a bus or coach driver with over half saying they felt their work was rewarding – according to the research the role offers seven of the top ten things that UK workers value most. These include meeting lots of different people, working without supervision, working solo, serving the community, being thanked and appreciated, a good work life balance, and training opportunities.
Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport said: “Our research has shown that being thanked and appreciated is crucial to the well-being of the UK’s workers. It’s really pleasing that bus and coach drivers are reporting such a high level of thanks. Many aspects of bus and coach driving are sought after by other UK workers, whether that be not being confined to an office, meeting new people or being your own boss.”
The survey also found that one in 10 had fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming a bus driver, whilst almost a quarter entered the profession after being made redundant or losing a job. One in seven said it was to have greater freedom.
Graham continued: “Drivers are at the heart of their local communities, helping people access education, healthcare, leisure, and jobs. It is never too late for those feeling unappreciated in their current profession to make the switch to become one of the UK’s most thanked workers. Especially given most bus and coach operators joined after working other jobs and the majority of the UK population has a driving license so could potentially start training right away.”
Dr. Ashley Weinberg, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Salford, commented on the research: “Hopefully we all know that it’s important to share gratitude as a genuine form of exchange with others in our social worlds. For all of us in paid or unpaid work, someone saying ‘thank you’ helps us to feel valued and naturally this is hugely important for our mental well-being. It encourages us to feel positive about ourselves, as well us to recognise meaning in what we’re doing at work. Hopefully this inspires us to carry on engaging in efforts to make a positive difference to others.”
