7 ways to improve job satisfaction in your workplace

Unhappy employees will always have an eye out for opportunities that will offer them better job satisfaction – so human resource leaders should always be on their toes to find ways to improve their employees’ job satisfaction if they want to keep them in their organizations.

Below, we take a deep dive into what employee job satisfaction looks like, identify signs of employee dissatisfaction, and go through some effective methods to increase job satisfaction in your workplace. 

Read more: 10 jobs with the highest employee satisfaction ratings

What is job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction is the positive emotional feeling an employee gets when they are happy with their work. It happens when the work meets the expectations of the employee, such as having job stability, career growth, and adequate pay and benefits.

Additionally, job satisfaction varies from employee to employee. For instance, a rewards system may work to motivate one employee but may not really address job dissatisfaction for another, which is why it is good for HR leaders to have a multidimensional approach.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

Job satisfaction can be split into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. Intrinsic job satisfaction is when an employee is happy with the job itself. Meanwhile, extrinsic job satisfaction is when an employee is happy with his or her working conditions, including factors such as pay and benefits, co-workers, managers, and office spaces. 

It is essential to find a balance between the two categories – and focusing on just one category will not be enough to maintain job satisfaction in the long-run.

Tell-tale signs that job satisfaction is low

The first step employers should take when gauging job satisfaction is identifying the signs that satisfaction is decreasing and intervening when necessary.

According to employee engagement firm Vantage Circle, a common sign that there is a lack of interest in work is when employees constantly postpone their tasks. Employees who dislike their work will very of often procrastinate on meeting their deadlines, which can ripple across an organization and lead to easily distracted employees and low productivity levels.

Unhappy employees also tend to start coming in late to work, constantly taking time off from office hours for personal work, taking frequent leaves, and showing signs of stress, unhappiness, and irritability. 

If you see any of these signs in your workplace, it may be time to start investigating the cause and formulate a strategy to help improve employee satisfaction.

Read more: Embracing the benefits of a happy workforce

Tips to increase job satisfaction

There are many ways to approach job satisfaction and improve its level in the workplace. Below, we look at some easy tips that employers can action immediately.

1. Assess employee and find out the cause of the problem

The best way to resolve job dissatisfaction is to face the source of the dissatisfaction. First, employers should sit down with an unhappy employee and discuss what is making them uninterested with their work and how they currently feel.

Finding the root cause of the issue could help employers find the best solution. For example, if an employee prefers working earlier in the day, maybe providing a flexible shift schedule could help boost the employee’s morale. 

2. Offer new career opportunities within the company

Employees should understand their roles and what is expected from them. Employee satisfaction can be boosted when employers offer more career growth opportunities through diverse projects and new roles. If there is a clear path for employees to grow their careers, they are more likely to stay and perform better, keeping them away from monotonous routines in the workplace. 

3. Create an open environment for employees to build friendships

Social interactions and relationship building are important things employees consider when choosing a job. Developing those bonds can significantly increase happiness within the organization and create a safe work environment. 

Employers should create a regular schedule of social activities to encourage employees to build relationships, such as frequent town halls, team outings, and regular team lunch outs.

4. Allow employees to have a proper work-life balance

Employers should keep in mind that employees have a life outside of work and should make it clear that they value each employee’s time. Workers tend to lose motivation for work when companies expect them to work beyond their shift or on their days off with little to no reward. Companies should avoid creating an environment of constant overwork. Providing remote work and flexible schedules can help employees work in the manner that suits them without demotivating them.

Companies should also consider employees and their opinions when scheduling travel and holiday assignments. Asking for volunteers who are willing to handle special projects first and working according to the schedules and availability of employees is a good strategy instead of forcing additional requirements on individuals who are not interested. 

5. Build supportive relationships between leaders and members

The communication and connection between leaders and members should always be transparent and open. Making sure that individuals can approach their managers for anything work-related can help create trust and honesty and help in cultivating a healthy workplace. 

Regular catch-ups, relaying feedback between the two groups, and recognizing their successes help in ensuring that companies and employees are moving towards the same path. 

6. Help employees overcome procrastination through rewards

It is normal for employees to procrastinate occasionally, but if it happens very frequently, employers should try to find ways to motivate individuals. One method that could help boost motivation is by creating a rewards system. This shows employees that they are being recognized and appreciated by the company for their efforts. Promotions, raises, bonuses, group outings, workplace events, and employee benefits are great methods that can easily create productivity in the office. 

7. Set goals for employees

An excellent way to instill motivation and trust between the company and employees is by setting clear goals for both parties. Establishing clear instructions for employees gives them a sense of direction on what needs to be done and achieved. In addition, employers should create short and long-term goals in which both leaders and members discuss and regularly update to maintain motivation. 

Ultimately, employees want to feel trusted and respected by their employer while working in a healthy environment with a good salary and career growth opportunities. Creating ways to deliver on these things can help organizations build a more robust and stable team.