The failure of Britain's bosses to pay their staff enough money is spreading misery across the private sector, according to a new survey by the Alliance and Leicester.

Almost 60 per cent of workers in the private sector are unhappy in their jobs, with 51 per cent of those citing low salaries as the reason for their dissatisfaction.

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "Contrary to the Alliance and Leicester's claim, this survey does not show that low pay is 'spreading misery across the private sector'.

"In fact using the survey's own statistics only 30 per cent of the total workforce cite pay as their cause of dissatisfaction while, a majority 59 per cent, complain that one aspect of their job is not very rewarding.

"Unfortunately no job is perfect, most jobs have unenjoyable tasks, but that's life."

Forum Response: GMB

A spokeswoman for the GMB told ePolitix.com: "People are tired of company directors cashing in on their hard work by taking huge bonuses while they work the longest hours in Europe.

"To achieve a happy workforce, company directors need to reward workers for their contribution to the company, develop their skills and allow flexibility to achieve a work-life balance.

"At the end of the day, a happy workforce is a more productive workforce and that is good for the whole economy."

Forum Response: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Duncan Brown, assistant director general of the CIPD, told ePolitix.com: "We have been conducting our own research in this area for about five years using a fairly large sample of employees.

"Our findings are not as negative as those put forward by the Alliance and Leicester survey. Although dissatisfaction with pay is fairly high, nearly two thirds of employees in the private sector are satisfied in their work.

"We have found that central government employees are more likely to be dissatisfied with their pay than those working in local government or the private sector.

"Employers need to engage their employees in their jobs, using financial and non-financial methods."