Imagine you have two job offers.
The first is for a job that pays very well. The organization has working weekends and expects you to follow a chain of command, limiting your autonomy. It also requires you to submit daily progress reports.
The second offer is at an organization that has reasonable working hours. It offers a chance for skill development and encourages employees to be proactive. But the compensation is low compared to the first job offer.
How would you make this decision? It’s likely that the compensation wouldn’t be the only factor you’d base your decision on. Other aspects like work-life balance, opportunities for growth and skill development, and job satisfaction would also matter.
In the modern workplace, the one thing that helps people decide whether they want to stick around or look for another job is job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is determined by factors like autonomy, growth opportunities and relationships at the workplace. Employees seek a respectful and appreciative work environment as opposed to one where they constantly have to prove their worth.
Let’s explore job dissatisfaction and some causes of job satisfaction.
What Constitutes Job Dissatisfaction?
Job dissatisfaction occurs when one is unhappy with the kind of work one is doing or with where one is working. If you don’t agree with your organization’s goals and work style, you won’t be motivated to perform well.
People are more likely to thrive in an environment where they are valued for their talents and skills. Contrary to popular belief, money isn’t the only factor of job satisfaction. A collaborative and warm work culture can encourage people to do their best. Employees feel satisfied when their managers listen to their concerns, reward them for their efforts and appreciate their hard work.
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction
There are several factors influencing job satisfaction that you should keep in mind when you plan your career. Making job satisfaction a priority will help you find a job you won’t want to leave. Don’t just look at the pay. Consider other attributes that make your professional life exciting, fulfilling and meaningful.
Employee satisfaction increases when workplaces and organizations offer the following:
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Strong Interpersonal Relationships
Although communication skills may not be part of your job description, they play a significant role in building interpersonal relationships. How you interact and engage with your coworkers, seniors and juniors can affect you daily. For higher job satisfaction, it’s important to build strong interpersonal relationships. Organizations can foster communication and collaboration to improve the job satisfaction of their employees.
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Empathetic Work Environment
An empathetic work environment is one where everyone understands each other. If someone’s going through a hard time, don’t ignore them. Listen empathetically and offer support. Organizations can create an empathetic work environment by offering benefits like paid time off for a personal problem, recreational activities and social events. These measures help lift spirits around the workplace.
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Competitive Skill-Based Salaries
Although compensation isn’t the only factor in job satisfaction, it’s still an important component of employee satisfaction. People look for jobs that pay competitive, skill-based salaries. A good compensation package recognizes and rewards the value that an employee brings to the table. When people are paid well they feel they are being recognized for their contributions. This is why fair pay is a significant satisfaction boost in the workplace.
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Employee Development
People enter the workforce with a specific skill set, but they want to grow beyond what they’ve learned in college. Many organizations have employee development programs to help their staff build knowledge and skills. From in-house training to international education programs, employees are given several options to grow within their organizations. This is one of the key factors in job satisfaction that lowers employee turnover.
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Support For Unique Work Styles
The new workplace is no longer about cookie-cutter job roles. Every employee brings a fresh, unique perspective to the workplace and they’re appreciated for it. You don’t have to restrict yourself to a role that demands you to change everything about how you work. Instead, the goal should be to align one’s personal values and work styles to one’s organization’s values and expectations. When organizations respect employees’ work styles and needs, their satisfaction is much higher.
You may identify more factors affecting job satisfaction in the current employment landscape. Look for an organization that respects you and one you can respect in turn. (https://www.theseedpharm.com/)
Knowing how to navigate your way around organizations, work well in teams and collaborate with your coworkers will increase your job satisfaction. Harappa’s Managing Teamwork course will teach you the importance of teamwork, conflict resolution and feedback. These are the traits that help you understand why job satisfaction is important for your professional growth.
Explore topics such as the Importance of Work-Life Balance, How to Maintain Work-Life Balance, What is Job Satisfaction, How to be Happy at Work & Why a Happy Employee is a Productive Employee from Harappa Diaries and build a sustainable work environment in your organization.