Shanghai workers' glass half-full; HK's half-empty

Hong Kong workers are hard-working but not very loyal to employers, while the reverse is true in Shanghai, a City University of Hong Kong survey concluded.

The survey of 2,000 workers in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei in February and March aimed to tap opinions about work, quality of life and personal feelings in three of the biggest cities in a region called Greater China.

Hong Kong workers were the best paid and the least satisfied with their lives. Shanghai workers are the worst paid of the three cities and the most upbeat about their economic future. Taipei fell consistently between Shanghai and Hong Kong on every question in the survey.

In terms of jobs, Hong Kong are more willing to work overtime without complaint and do what they're told, the study said. But at the end the day, they aren't overly devoted to their jobs.

"Hong Kong people would rather be bosses," said Chau-Kiu Cheung, research assistant professor of City University. "They'd like to show off their creativity. They'd like to have more freedom at work."

Shanghai workers are more dedicated to their bosses but they don't like working long hours and they bristle at instruction, the study found.

While Shanghai people are upbeat on their economic outlook, Hong Kong respondents were pessimistic amid an economic slowdown that's driven unemployment to a record high and depressed prices for 55 consecutive months.

"The average work week in Hong Kong is 50 hours, which is long compare to other countries," said Kwok Leung, head of the management department City University.

Hong Kong workers just don't have time for anything else except work, he said.

Play it again

Shanghai respondents said they aren't paid enough and can't buy all the things they want. Asked if they were reborn and could live life all over again, Shanghai residents said they would change their lives.

Hong Kong resident said they wouldn't. Indeed, Hong Kong respondents were the happiest of the three cities in terms of their leisure life.

"Hong Kong workers make more money compare with employees in the other two cities," said King-ming Ip, a associate of Leung's. "A good transportation network and nicer malls also help."