From the rise of hybrid working to increased flexibility, in recent years we’ve seen significant changes in the way we work. 

This has impacted what employees want from their work and workplace. Employees are looking for work and a workplace that has purpose, makes them feel appreciated, prioritises workplace wellbeing and supports professional development.

As the working world continues to shift, job satisfaction is paramount for employees and businesses. And, with 59% of global workers feeling unengaged at work, it’s more important than ever! As a manager it’s essential that you keep an eye on how your employees feel in the workplace and how satisfied they are day to day. 

If you’re a manager wondering how to promote job satisfaction, don’t worry! We’re going to take a look at what job satisfaction is, how to improve it, and so much more. 

What is job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction is based on how we feel about our job. It is the positive emotional feeling that an employee feels when they’re happy with their work and workplace. 

How does this happen? We hear you ask. 

Job satisfaction is down to a number of factors and won’t look the same for everyone. It happens when employees feel valued, are meeting expectations, feel comfortable in their working environment, and are paid appropriately for their work. 

There are two main categories of job satisfaction: intrinsic and extrinsic. 

Intrinsic is when an employee is satisfied with the work itself including –

• Role 
• Responsibilities
• Expectations
• Opportunities to grow 

Extrinsic is when an employee is happy with their working conditions –

• Pay
• Benefits
• Colleagues
• Working environment

What contributes to job satisfaction?

So you want to improve job satisfaction within your business, but don’t know where to begin?

Before diving in, make sure you establish what contributes to job satisfaction. This will help you understand how to keep your employees connected and  increase job satisfaction in the short and long term.

Let’s dive into some of the top contributors to job satisfaction:

Meaning and purpose

When employees feel that what they’re doing matters, this can encourage them to perform well and provide a sense of accomplishment. Finding meaning and purpose within their role can help employees feel motivated and passionate, in turn increasing job satisfaction. 

Psychologically safe environment

As an employer you should strive to create a psychologically safe environment for your employees. This is an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up, whether it’s sharing ideas or asking questions, without fear of humiliation or punishment. 

Role Clarity 

Be transparent about an employee’s role and responsibilities to ensure they understand and are happy with this. This is important as it ensures employees have an understanding of the tasks they need to complete, how their role impacts the business, and what’s expected of them.

Recognition

When it comes to job satisfaction, celebrating employee achievements can go a long way. Recognition shows employees that they’re valued and improves how they view themselves in the workplace. 

How to improve job satisfaction?

Improving job satisfaction may take time and dedication, but will only benefit your businesses as this can lead to  – 

• Improved performance
• Higher productivity
• Increased engagement
• Better retention 

So how can you increase job satisfaction in your business? These budget-friendly improvements are a great way to start and will pave the way for a happier, healthier workplace. 

1. Create a clear progression plan
2. Introduce flexible working
3. Provide extra holidays and days off
4. Deliver internal coaching and mentoring
5. Offer additional resources and training

Find out more about job satisfaction by downloading our free Improve Job Satisfaction for Your Marketing Team Guide which will help you gather tips on how you can improve job satisfaction for your marketing department as well as find out the statistics and figures to back up what you’re doing.