The Trades Union Congress (TUC) reports that while one in four employees in the UK have low morale, higher levels of satisfaction were recorded among the small business workforce.

In a survey of 2,500 workers carried out by YouGov for the organisation, the rate of discontent was lower among the 600 small firm employees, with 21 per cent strongly agreeing they are satisfied with their role and 41 per cent tending to agree.

They were also more loyal to their company – 58 per cent – and committed to their roles – 64 per cent.

Federation of Small Businesses national chairman John Wright comments on the TUC results: ‘In terms of the way they treat their staff, small businesses consistently out perform their bigger competitors.

‘Small business owners know their greatest asset is their staff and they are far more likely to treat them as individuals and recognise their needs.’

In August, the TUC found working weeks are getting longer, something which it says is hampering employees’ job satisfaction, work-life balance and performance in their role.