The majority of employees in the United States may or may not be satisfied with their jobs. Two reputable surveys reported in June indicate that most employees give their jobs the thumbs up, while polls published earlier in 2005 show thumbs pointing south. North or south, the thumbs are distraction that shouldn’t be allowed to undermine the value of the polls. These contribute insight into the individual aspects of job satisfaction – knowledge that could help shape strategies for improving employee morale.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), an international association of HR professionals, found 80 percent of workers liked their jobs. Sirota Consulting, a New York-based attitude research company, reported a satisfaction rate of 76 percent. Harris Interactive is one of several companies reporting less positive findings. A market research firm, it found 41 per cent disliked their jobs. The Conference Board, a management advisory organization, placed the satisfied figure at 50 percent in one poll and much lower in another. Conducted for the Conference Board by research agency TNS, it said 25 percent of American workers admitted they are just “showing up for a paycheck.”
Addressing the individual factors, the SHRM poll showed 63 percent of employees regarded benefits such health insurance as the No. 1 factor in job satisfaction. Wages followed, at 61 percent. Work/life issues, such as flexibility, were in third place at 60 percent, closely followed by job security in fourth place.
A separate ongoing TNS survey of 800,000 employees at 61 companies worldwide