Job satisfaction facts for kids
Job satisfaction is how happy and content a person feels about their job. It's a feeling of liking what you do for work. When people enjoy their tasks, get along well with their boss and coworkers, and feel good about their achievements, they often have high job satisfaction. Experts who study how people behave in companies and organizations also look at what makes people satisfied with their jobs.
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A Look Back in Time
People started studying job satisfaction more often in the 1930s. In 1934, a psychologist named R.S. Uhrbrock began using new ways to understand how factory workers felt about their jobs. A year later, in 1935, R. Hoppock published a study about 500 teachers. He found that things like the actual work, the people you work with, and your managers all affect how satisfied you are. Before the 1930s, not many studies focused on this topic.
What Makes a Job Satisfying?
Things Around You at Work
Many things in your work environment can affect how happy you are with your job. These are called environmental factors because they come from your workplace and the tasks you do.
In 1976, Edwin A. Locke wrote about what makes people happy or unhappy at work. Even though this list is old, many of these ideas are still true today:
- The work is challenging. It's not too easy, but it's also not too hard. It lets you use your skills.
- The work isn't too physically demanding. Jobs that make you very tired can be frustrating.
- The work is interesting. It keeps you engaged and isn't boring.
- You get rewards for your work. This can be praise, encouragement, or even special awards.
- Everyone works towards shared goals. Managers and employees work together as a team.
- The company supports its employees. There are rules and ways to help workers reach their goals.
- You might get extra benefits. These could be bonuses, travel, or other special perks, not just your regular pay.
Other things that can make you satisfied include getting good feedback on your work. Company rules, like how managers guide employees, also play a role. Your pay is another important factor. Feeling like you've achieved something or getting recognition for your efforts can boost job satisfaction. Opportunities to get promoted to a higher position can also make people happier with their jobs.
In today's workplaces, communication is super important. Think of it like a "communication load." This is how much information you get, how fast it comes, and how complicated it is. Sometimes, people get too much information too quickly, which is called communication overload. Other times, they don't get enough information, which is communication underload. Both of these can make people unhappy with their jobs. If you get too much or too little communication, you might feel less satisfied with your work.
A study in 2013 looked at 2.5 million workers in the United States. It found that the most important things for job satisfaction are:
- Fairness, feeling safe, being respected, and trusting your leaders.
- Working well and cooperating with your coworkers.
- Feeling a sense of achievement, getting recognition, and being proud of your work.
If a job has all these things, people tend to be more satisfied and more loyal to their company.
Things About You Personally
Some things that affect job satisfaction are personal to each individual. Everyone reacts in their own unique way.
Your moods and emotions at work are connected to how satisfied you feel. Both positive and negative feelings can influence your overall job satisfaction.
Even your genetics can play a part! One study looked at twins who grew up separately. Researchers wanted to see how much genetics influenced their job satisfaction. They found that about 70% of job satisfaction comes from your environment, but about 30% comes from your genes.
Some research also shows a link between your personality and job satisfaction. People who feel included and not left out tend to be happier at work. Employees who feel like they have some control over their situation also report more job satisfaction. They often show more involvement and commitment to their company.
Psychological well-being (PWB) is how well your mind works overall. It includes every part of your life, like work, family, and community. How you feel mentally at work is very important for job satisfaction. Studies have shown a strong link between psychological well-being and job satisfaction. In fact, some research suggests that your psychological well-being can even predict how well you perform at your job, even more than just job satisfaction alone.
How Do We Measure It?
Researchers use different ways to measure job satisfaction. One common tool is the Job Descriptive Index. It looks at five areas: pay, promotions, coworkers, bosses, and the work itself. It's a simple survey where people answer yes, no, or maybe. Other surveys exist too, like the Job Satisfaction Survey, which asks 36 questions about nine factors. The Faces Scale is even simpler; people just choose a face that shows how they feel.
Related pages
- Motivation
- Quality of working life
- Work-life balance
Images for kids
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A post office worker appears to be happy as she pushes a mail cart.
See also
In Spanish: Satisfaccion laboral para niños
