How many times have you thought about how much you dislike your job or anything outside of work?
Job satisfaction is one of the most difficult things to define because it is something that most people are not entirely sure what they are experiencing. One way to think of it is that job satisfaction is the unique positive feelings associated with their work environment and thoughts on their own role in it. This may seem like a simple concept at first, but there are many different factors that can influence how someone feels about their current position. With this in mind, let’s talk about some of these factors and what might lead to job dissatisfaction or happiness.
1. Job Purpose
Job satisfaction is often related to a job’s purpose. If a job is too simple or does not provide a great amount of direction, then the likelihood of employee satisfaction is very low. In contrast, a job that is stimulating and challenging tends to create job satisfaction. Moreover, the level to which you esteem your position plays a major role in job satisfaction. If you feel like your job is vital to the success of your company, you will likely feel valued and satisfied at work.
2. Recognition For Work
Many people will feel motivated and fulfilled when they are recognized for the work they do at work. There may be a variety of reasons as to why a person is satisfied with their work, from being able to perform tasks that they enjoy or have been given, being able to express themselves through what they do, having the freedom to work remotely, etc. In most cases, people will try to fulfill as many of these as they can in order for themself and others involved in an organization to feel like their contributions are appreciated and valued within it.
3. Autonomy
An individual’s satisfaction with a job is often affected by the amount of autonomy they have over their work. This can include a variety of things, such as how much control they feel they have over their work schedule, projects, the team they are working with, etc. This can be one reason why some employees might feel confined in their job. After all, part of the fun of working is the ability to do things that you want or take on projects you are passionate about.
4. Social/Relationships
Many people relate satisfaction with their job to the relationships that they have within it. This is particularly true if they feel like there is a good group dynamic, good office culture, and feel like they are getting the support they need from management when issues arise at work. If there are not great relationships with individuals at work, this can lead to people feeling less satisfied in many aspects of their jobs regardless of whether or not the work itself is fulfilling.
5. Job Growth
In most cases, people will feel dissatisfied with their current position if they feel that they aren’t making enough progress or that their goals are unattainable. In these situations, people may find that the atmosphere of their work environment and what they do at work is holding them back from achieving greater things. This can be interpreted as a result of not having adequate resources and/or feeling like there is no reason to change positions. Thus, it is important to define the kind of growth you are hoping to obtain from your position and if it is obtainable.
6. Job Security and Stability
The likelihood of feeling satisfied in your position depends upon how stable your job is and how secure it makes you feel. Being able to work comfortably knowing that you are secure in your position is essential for job satisfaction. This is because when employees are in constant fear of losing their jobs, it will negatively impact their performance in the workplace. Furthermore, if they feel like they are being treated unfairly or being mistreated at work, this will have the opposite effect of what is intended.
7. Compensation
There are many different factors that lead to job satisfaction, but one of them is the compensation you receive for your work. This includes not only money but also benefits that are associated with your work. If you cannot afford basic necessities or routine expenses with your current pay rate, this is likely to have a negative impact on job satisfaction.
8. Job Stigma
There are times when an employee may not feel fully supported by their boss because of all the criticism they are receiving from coworkers they are working with. This experience is generally negative for most people because it can cause them to feel embarrassed by what is occurring at work. At the same time they might feel that their boss has no idea what they are going through on a daily basis and do not care about their overall well-being at all.
9. Work-life Balance/ Burnout
This is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to job satisfaction because it affects the quality of life that an employee experiences on a daily basis at work. For example, burnout affects the ability to engage in meaningful relationships at work and get things done on time. When this happens, the people involved in the office environment will be unable to perform well on a daily basis and will simply feel like they are miserable.
10. Others
One of the most common reasons people feel unsatisfied with their current position is due to things outside of work and the environment they’re in. This includes long commutes, bad working conditions, and a general lack of challenge on a daily basis. A common complaint from people in these situations is that they do not know where to go next with their career and therefore feel stuck in place even though they might be unhappy with their position. It’s important to keep in mind that we don’t all have the same desires out of work and that some may be content staying in one place for a long time without moving up while others want more than just comfort.
If someone begins to feel dissatisfied or unhappy with their job, then this is the best time to pinpoint the source of this feeling. This will give you clarity regarding why you may have begun to feel unhappy in your position and how it may have transpired over time. Also, it is important that you determine whether or not your dissatisfaction with your job is temporary or whether it will be long-lasting. There is no denying the fact that if you are unhappy at work, your performance will begin to suffer at some point. Thus, it’s important to take action as soon as possible so you don’t fall behind in your career or find yourself unable to move up.
This article is written by:
Angel Lim @ Anradus Pte Ltd.
Industrial & Organizational Psychologist
MTMA, MTPA, APAM