Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction

Job is one of the most important elements in our lives where our social life and living style depends on. On the other hand, overall productivity and success of an organization can depend on the effective and efficient performance of employees and that better performance depends on the employees’ job satisfaction ( A study of job satisfaction and its effect on the performance of employees working in private sector organizations, Peshawar 2021). 

Job satisfaction or employee satisfaction was taught to us or has been described in many different ways. Some believe it is to do with the content of the individual job as in, whether or not they like the job or individual aspects or facets of jobs, such as the nature of work or supervision. However, job satisfaction has become a very important factor in the Human Resource Management division of organizations. It affects the performance,  and orgernizations  addressing the job satisfaction of employers  

The below graph explains the various reasons that can affect job satisfaction or employee satisfaction in an orgernization. 

Figure 01- Factors affects to job satisfaction

Source : Researchers' Original Construction 

According to an article written by Brian Hill, Demand Media there are several factors affecting to job satisfaction of an employee.

Working Condition, the opportunity for advancement, workload and stress level, respect from coworkers and financial rewards are some of the main factors that the article mentioned which affects to job satisfaction of an employee.

The article written by Brian Hill explains more about the factors affecting job satisfaction mentioned below;

Working Conditions

Employees spend most of their time in their offices. Therefore, it's important for companies to try to optimize working conditions. As providing spacious work areas rather than cramped ones, adequate lighting and comfortable work stations contribute to favourable work conditions. Also providing productivity tools such as upgraded information technology to help employees accomplish tasks more efficiently contributes to job satisfaction as well.

Opportunity for Advancement

Workers are more satisfied with their current work when they a way to move up the positions within the company and be given more responsibility and higher compensation.  

Many companies empower workers to secure more progressed abilities that will lead to the chance of advancement. Nowadays companies are willing to pay the educational cost for their employees to take courses to develop themselves.

Workload and Stress Level

Dealing with a workload that is far too heavy and deadlines that are impossible to reach can cause job satisfaction to erode for even the most dedicated employee. Falling short of deadlines results in conflict between employees and supervisors and raises the stress level of the workplace. Many times, this environment is caused by ineffective management and poor planning. The office operates in a crisis mode because supervisors don't allow enough time for employees to perform their assigned tasks effectively or because staff levels are inadequate.

Respect from Co-Workers

Employees seek to be treated with respect by those they work with. A hostile work environment with rude or unpleasant coworkers is one that usually has lower job satisfaction. In an August 2011 survey published by FoxBusiness.com, 50 per cent of those responding said they had personally experienced a great amount of workplace incivility. Fifty per cent also believe morale is poor where they work. Managers need to step in and mediate conflicts before they escalate into more serious problems requiring disciplinary action. Employees may need to be reminded of what behaviors are considered inappropriate when interacting with coworkers.

Relationship with Supervisors

Effective managers know their employees need acknowledgement and laud for their efforts and accomplishments. Employees also need to know their supervisor's door is always open for them to discuss any concerns they have that are affecting their ability to do their jobs effectively and impeding their satisfaction at the office. Today, most of the organization practice open door concept where the co-workers can always walk in when they need to discuss anything.  

Financial Rewards

Job satisfaction is impacted by an employee's views about the fairness of the company wage scale as well as the current compensation she may be receiving. Companies need to have a mechanism in place to evaluate employee performance and provide salary increases to top performers. Opportunities to earn special incentives, such as bonuses, extra paid time off or vacations, also bring excitement and higher job satisfaction to the workplace.

Job satisfaction can also be seen within the broader context of the range of issues that affect an individual's experience of work, or their quality of working life. Job satisfaction can be understood in terms of its relationships with other key factors, such as general well-being, stress at work, control at work, homework interface, and working conditions, (Tomaževič, N.; Seljak, J.; Aristovnik, A, 2014) said.

References 

A study of job satisfaction and its effect on the performance of employees working in private sector organizations, Peshawar 2021

Brian Hill, Demand Media (2013, November 3). Factors Influences the Job Satisfaction | Human Resource Management. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/factors-affecting-job-satisfaction-20114.html