By Barbara Hewitt
The Conference Board recently released the results of their latest survey on job satisfaction for US employees. The report was rather disheartening, in that employees showed the lowest level of satisfaction in their jobs since the survey was launched back in 1987. In the most recent survey, only 45% of respondents said they were satisfied with their jobs, down from 61% in 1987. In many ways this lackluster response is not surprising given the travails many employees have faced during the last year – 1 in 10 out of work, and those lucky enough to still have jobs frantically trying to manage the work from their laid-off colleagues, not receiving raises, and worried about losing their own jobs.
College students beware…even the youngest employees were not immune from this trend. While the increase in dissatisfaction spanned all age groups, those under 25 expressed the highest level of dissatisfaction in the survey’s history for the age range. You can find out more about the survey here:
http://www.conference-board.org/utilities/pressDetail.cfm?press_ID=3820
The survey results prompted me to think about steps employees can take to increase their work life satisfaction. Of course, the first step for many would be to assess what is lacking in their work, and perhaps launch a job search for a new opportunity that will better meet their needs. However, in the current environment with high unemployment, finding a new job is not likely to be quick or easy for most, so individuals may need to make the best of their current positions until something better comes along. As such, following are some steps people can take to feel more satisfied with their current jobs:
Set Realistic Expectations
I am a firm believer that that how you think about a situation plays a huge role in how you feel about it. Therefore, it is important to set realistic expectations about your job. No position is going to be 100% perfect, and expecting it to be so will only result in disappointment. Focus your energy on those areas of your work life that you find rewarding and you enjoy, and realize that there will be parts of your job that are less appealing. Dwelling on the negative will only make you that much less satisfied at work.
Refrain from Office Politics and Negativity
In most offices there are underlying politics and pockets of negativity that can really bring down the morale of employees. You know the routine – a group of workers who spend 90% of their time around the coffee pot complaining about their unreasonable boss, the low pay, or the fact that their vacation requests were not approved. Backstabbing and gossiping can be prime activities for these employees. Don’t give in to the temptation to join them…in the end it will increase the toxic office environment and make work an even less attractive place for you to be.
Seek Out New Assignments
Are you feeling bored and unchallenged at work? Do your daily tasks seem so routine that you could easily do them in your sleep? Maybe it’s time you sought out some new responsibilities. Volunteer for an assignment. Think about and suggest improvements that could be made to your current work. Join an office committee. Approach your supervisor with some ideas of new projects you would like to take on. Not only will you be reinvigorated by the work, but most managers will appreciate your proactive and positive nature.
Build Your Network
Plan for the future and develop your network both within your current organization and outside of it. Join a relevant professional association. Attending the meetings and conferences will help you to keep current on the industry, and also allow you to meet professionals at other organizations….which could lead to your next (hopefully more satisfying!) job. Working on cross-departmental teams within your existing organization can help you learn more about how the organization functions as a whole, and perhaps by meeting the right people pave the way for a lateral move or a promotion with your current employer.
Seek Satisfying Activities Outside of Work
Just because you may be unhappy and frustrated at work doesn’t mean that you can’t take steps to improve your life in other areas which could increase your general level of happiness. In fact, dissatisfaction in one area of your life is a prime reason to improve other areas. Have you always wanted to be a gourmet cook? Take a class on French cooking. Love to read? Join a book club. Need to relieve some work tension? Sign up for that spinning class at the gym. Want to make a difference? Become a volunteer and make a child’s life better. In the end it might be you who benefits.
Hopefully when the Conference Board conducts its next study on work satisfaction, the results will be more heartening. In the meantime, take control of your life and the necessary steps to make work a place where you want to be…. And for the 55% of you out there who are not happy with your current job, let me leave you with a happy final thought. It’s Friday- have a great weekend!
