Job Satisfaction – Psychological HR Approach

                                                              Figure 1 - Job Satisfaction

Job Satisfaction – Psychological HR Approach

 

“Job satisfaction is one of the most frequently studied aspects of organizational life in the psychological sciences." (Cranny et al., 1992; Fisher, 2000; Landy, 1989; Locke, 1969, 1983)

 

We live in an extremely fast-paced commercial environment. In a century where the whole world is a global village, the basic needs of a century change day by day, but our lives continue along a few definite lines. Here, those particular lines are bound together by a few fine fibers, but when all of them are filled with positive nourishment, they can recover mentally and live again.

 

This is a place where the center point of the fine lines is the job. From the basic goals of food for the belly, clothes for the body, and a house for the head, all the most complex hopes depend on this medium point. Based on our ability, knowledge, and experience, we enter the first day of the job with great happiness and a lot of hope.

 

It is a mental relief if there is a sense of satisfaction, happiness, and positivity when looking back on a job, be it for a month, a year, or 10 years.

 

But if it is not like that, it is mental depression.

What is Job Satisfaction:

 "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

 

Figure 2 - Confucius 

Confucius (551 BCE - 479 BCE)

Image source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Confucius

 

“Job satisfaction is a subjective evaluation that an individual makes regarding their job, and it is influenced by various factors such as the nature of work, compensation, workplace culture, relationships with colleagues, opportunities for growth and development, and the overall work environment.”

 

(Job Satisfaction (2023),  <https://www.hrhelpboard.com/performance-management/job-satisfaction.html#:~:text=Organizations%20can%20enhance%20job%20satisfaction,to%20participate%20in%20decision%2Dmaking)> [2023])

·         Job satisfaction is defined as the extent to which an employee feels motivated, content, and satisfied with his/her job.

·         Job satisfaction occurs when an employee feels that he/she has job stability, career growth and a comfortable work-life balance. This implies that the employee is satisfied with the job because the job meets the individual's expectations.

·         Job satisfaction is not only about the compensation, perks, or assets that an employee can receive but also about the environment, culture, and quality of work that a company can provide to the employee. Research methodology may or may not be quantitative, though it may be used to examine the satisfaction levels of employees in the same company or sector on common parameters or questions.

Figure 3 - Importance of Job Satisfaction

Rand’s theory of emotions: "Emotions are not tools of cognition." (Rand, Virtue of Selfishness, p. 32)

 

“A person who uses his emotions as a guide to action will only be inconsistent and unsuccessful, a fearful mess of contradictions. Emotions can however be instant giveaways of a person's values, and in this sense can often be useful.”

(By - Malini Kochhar, January 25, 2011, Emotions, The Atlas Society, https://www.atlassociety.org/post/emotions#:~:text=%22Emotions%20are%20not%20tools%20of,sense%20can%20often%20be%20useful)

Importance of Job Satisfaction

A satisfied employee is always important for an organization as they aim to deliver the best of their capability. If an employee feels happy with their company & work, they look to give back to the company with all their efforts.

The importance of job satisfaction:   

For Employees

Job satisfaction from an employee perspective is to earn a good gross salary, have job stability, have steady career growth, get rewards & recognition, and constantly have new opportunities.

For Employers

The positive effects of job satisfaction include:

1. More efficiency of employees in the workplace if they are satisfied with their job.

2. Higher employee loyalty leads to more commitment.

3. Job satisfaction of employees eventually results in higher profits for companies.

4. High employee retention is possible if employees are happy.

(By - Business Concepts Team, Job Satisfaction - Meaning, Importance, Factors & Example, https://www.mbaskool.com/business-concepts/human-resources-hr-terms/4394-job-satisfaction.html)

 

“Frederick Herzberg (1923 – 2000) theorized that employee satisfaction has two dimensions: “hygiene” and “motivation”

Hygiene issues, such as salary and supervision, decrease employees' dissatisfaction with the work environment.

Motivators, such as recognition and achievement, make workers more productive, creative, and committed.

Figure 4  - “Hygiene” and “Motivation” factors

                                              Figure 5  - “Hygiene” and “Motivation” factors

Job Satisfaction Factors

1. Compensation and working conditions

An employee with a good salary, incentives, bonuses, healthcare options, etc. is happier with their job as compared to someone who doesn’t have the same. A healthy workplace environment also adds value to an employee.

2. Work-life balance

Job satisfaction for employees is often due to a good work-life balance policy, which ensures that an employee spends quality time with their family along with doing their work. This improves the employee's quality of work life.

 

3. Respect & Recognition

Any individual appreciates and feels motivated if they are respected at their workplace. Also, if they are awarded for their hard work, it further motivates employees.

Hence recognition is one of the job satisfaction factors.

4. Job security

If an employee is assured that the company will retain them even if the market is turbulent, it gives them immense confidence. Job security is one of the main reasons for job satisfaction for employees.

5. Career Growth

Employees always keep their career growth part as a high priority in their lives. Hence, if a company helps groom employees and gives them newer job roles, it enhances job satisfaction as they know they will get a boost in their careers.

(By - Business Concepts Team, Job Satisfaction - Meaning, Importance, Factors & Example, https://www.mbaskool.com/business-concepts/human-resources-hr-terms/4394-job-satisfaction.html)

Figure 6 - Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow

Signs of job dissatisfaction:

Lack of interest and enthusiasm     - People will seem disinterested in their jobs and not put much energy into completing their tasks.

Procrastination                                 - Employees who avoid their work may be silently wishing it would just go away.

Tardiness and absenteeism              - Irregular arrivals and departures from work or often calls in sick.

Declining performance                     - When employees aren’t devoted to their jobs, they are bound to put in less effort, resulting in less output.

Stress and negativity                         - Every job will have tense moments, but dissatisfied employees are likely to be stressed out on a regular basis.

(By Author - Andrea Boatman, 8 Causes of Job Dissatisfaction & How to Combat It, https://www.aihr.com/blog/job-dissatisfaction)

                                                                                         Figure 7 - Change the way

Findings

Employee Satisfaction Statistics across the Globe

·         According to an article by Apollo Technical, 65% of employees in the US are satisfied with their jobs. This is followed by 20% who are truly passionate about them. Apollo Technical published this article in 2022.

·         58% of Japanese employees are unsatisfied with their jobs, while 21% are entirely dissatisfied.

·         According to CBC, Canada’s job satisfaction rate as of 2022 is 60%, the highest ever within a decade.

·         Based on an article published on CNBC referencing a CareerCast survey, 78% of Americans felt unduly stressed at work. 38% owed their stress to unmanageable deadlines.

·         A study by Leger in collaboration with Hamster states that Canadian workers’ satisfaction has decreased by 3% since 2021. Moreover, their commitment to work has decreased by 6% as well.

·         According to data published by Statista, 45% of Indian workers in professional careers were satisfied with their current jobs. However, 38% of the respondents were still looking for better job opportunities

(EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION STATISTICS ACROSS THE GLOBE [100% UPDATED], https://zoetalentsolutions.com/employee satisfaction-statistics/ 2021)

Conclusion

Job satisfaction can be a two-way street. Employees need to feel satisfied, and organizations must help employees realize their potential. If you are interested in increasing the job satisfaction of your employees, be sure to look beyond the seemingly practical benefits of providing adequate salaries and health insurance, although those too are critical.

Motivating employees may be just as important. Job satisfaction links to motivation, which employees can gain even more of when realizing their full potential. Besides providing adequate salaries and health insurance, much more can be done by companies to motivate and guide employees. In turn, companies will reap the benefits of loyalty and shared objectives.

(By Author - Dr. Joshua Bourne, PsychD, 3 Dec 2020, What Is Job Satisfaction and Why Is It Important?, Positive Psychology.com, https://positivepsychology.com/job-satisfaction/)

Figure 8 - Conclusion

Reference List:

Desireé Ann Hamman-Fisher, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOB SATISFACTION AND ORGANISATIONAL JUSTICE AMONGST ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES IN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES IN SOUTH AFRICA, November 2008 (Online)

Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/58913603.pdf

[Accessed 17 October 2023]

 

Tracy Brower,Job Satisfaction Is Rising: What’s Behind The Surprising Tend, Jun 4, 2023 (Online)

Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/06/04/job-satisfaction-is-rising-whats-behind-the-surprising-tend/?sh=322eb295453b

[Accessed 18 October 2023]

 

Chiradeep BasuMallick, What Is Job Satisfaction? Definition, Factors, Importance, Statistics, and Examples, March 11, 2021 (Online)

Available at: https://www.spiceworks.com/hr/engagement-retention/articles/what-is-job-satisfaction/

[Accessed 17 October 2023]

 

Charlotte Nickerson, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory Of Motivation-Hygiene, September 28, 2023 (Online)

Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/herzbergs-two-factor-theory.html

[Accessed 17 October 2023]

 

Malini Kochhar, Emotions, January 25, 2011, (Online)

Available at: https://www.atlassociety.org/post/emotions#:~:text=%22Emotions%20are%20not%20tools%20of,sense%20can%20often%20be%20useful.

[Accessed 18 October 2023]

 

Kendra Cherry, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, August 14, 2022, (Online)

Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760

[Accessed 18 October 2023]