Experts are divided over the reasons why women appear to get more out of their work than men. Professor Andrew Oswald, of the University of Warwick, who carried out the survey, said: 'There is a wide ranging debate on why women enjoy work more.
'Some say they are just cheerier than men. But it could also be that their aspirations are lower.' He pointed out that many women worked part-time and shared jobs, which the survey found increased job satisfaction.
'This is one of the interesting findings of the report. The score difference may seem slight but it represents a strong finding,' he added.
Ruth Lea, head of policy at the Institute of Directors, said: 'Part of the problem for men is that expectations are higher for them. When women succeed it is seen as a victory, but for men it is expected. This puts pressure on them.
'Add to this that they are the major breadwinner and stick with many jobs because they have to for their family, then the pressure is even more.'
Overall, older workers get the greatest satisfaction from their jobs while university graduates are the most dissatisfied of all, according to a survey of 30,000 employees.
The survey found employees generally enjoyed their first years at work. Job satisfaction then dipped between the ages of 30 and 40. But employees over 60 years of age gained greatest satisfaction from their work.
Professor Oswald said: 'The young are happy to have a job. But as they grow older they realise ambitions may not be fulfilled so easily. 'We all start off thinking we will be captain of England or a Nobel prize winner but we adjust. The older we get, the more settled and content with our role at work we get.'
Graduates often felt frustrated that they were overqualified for the job they were doing, the survey found.
Many were forced to take lowskilled jobs to pay off debts from their university days. Others found the competition for the best jobs was greater than they expected.
The survey also revealed that Britain's culture of working long hours had not turned people off their jobs. Most British employees were satisfied at work even though they were under more pressure than ten years ago.
The survey found 80 per cent felt satisfied, very satisfied or completely happy at work. Just one in 50 employees said they were not satisfied at all with their job.
This enjoyment of work apparently over-rode an increase in stress levels at work over the last ten years, measured by mental distress and psychological ill health.
There were other checkpoints for a happy working life. Those working in the public sector, for example the NHS, were more dissatisfied with their jobs than those in the private sector.
Employees of small businesses and non-profit making organisations, such as charities, were happier at work than those working for big companies.
A third of Britain's employees, or six million people, work in small firms. Nine in ten employers have fewer than ten staff.
David Hands, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: 'There is a greater camaraderie in small firms than in big companies where people may feel at risk of being stabbed in the back.
'It is more relaxed in small firms and people enjoy it more. Many also get more responsibility which adds to their satisfaction.' ( dailymail.co.uk )
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