Can't Get No Job Satisfaction

The most recent Conference Board report showed that US worker dissatisfaction has been slipping for years - long before the current recession. The most recent job satisfaction report shows a sharp decline in the following four key indicators of workers' job satisfaction from 1987 to 2009:

• 18.9% decline in interest in their work
• 16.5% decline in job security
• 11.6% drop in interest in the people at work
• 9.5% drop in satisfaction with their supervisors at work

If you are one of those employees who feel that your job satisfaction is slipping, here are some suggestions that could work even in a down economy.

1. Look for opportunities on your current job to learn new skills.

Many companies have downsized, but productivity is up. This is because workers are taking on additional assignments. Of course some employees are taking on these additional work assignments, not by choice but because they are being forced to do so. In these cases, the additional assignments may actually be contributing to lower job satisfaction for some workers. On the other hand, some workers are seeing these new assignments as a way to learn new job skills and become more valuable to the organization.

2. Scan your environment for workplace changes coming down the pipeline.

One of the big factors that impact job satisfaction is the feeling of being "blind-sided" by your employer. Know what is next for your industry, your profession and your company and position yourself accordingly.

3. Change jobs.

Not kidding here. Over the last couple of years, despite the bad economy, many, many people who have changed jobs and moved on with their careers in new industries and new companies.

Although managers know that employees who are dissatisfied with their work are less productive, it is not the manager's responsibility to make sure that all workers are satisfied with their work. Job satisfaction is the responsibility of each individual and each worker has to make the commitment to doing what is necessary to stay happy at work.