Effects of Job Satisfaction

What is the great buzz about job satisfaction? This article discusses the benefits of job satisfaction towards the organization. Ultimately a satisfied employee will lead to a satisfied customer. It is the employees who take the brand image of the company.

High Job Satisfaction may lead to
(a) Improved productivity
(b) Reduced turnover
(c) Improved attendance
(d) Reduced accidents
(e) Lower unionization

(A) PRODUCTIVITY:

There is an adage "a happy worker is a productive worker". Job Satisfaction leads to increased productivity. An employee who performs well in his job gets both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards which will lead his satisfaction. A poor performer will worse about his incompetence and will receive fewer rewards. He will be less satisfied with his work experience.

(B) JOB SATISFACTION AND EMPLOYEE TURNOVER:

High employee turnover is of considerable importance for the employers because it disrupts normal operations, causes morale problems for those who stick on and increases the cost involved in selecting and training replacements. So the employer in order to minimize turnover should make the employee feel satisfied on their jobs.

(C) SATISFACTION AND ABSENCE:
There is correlation between satisfaction and absence. Workers who are dissatisfied are more likely to take "mental health" days i.e. days off due to illness or personal business. Absenteeism is high when satisfaction is low. Employees who feel that their work is important tend to clock in regular attendance.

(D) SATISFACTION AND SAFETY:

Poor safety practices are a negative consequence of low satisfaction level. When people are discouraged about their jobs, company and supervisors, they are more liable to experience accidents. Reason for such accidents is that discouragement may take one's attention away from the task at hand.

(E) SATISFACTION AND JOB STRESS:

Job stress is the body's response to any job related factor that threatens to disturb the person's equilibrium. Prolonged stress can cause the employee serious ailments such as heart disease, ulcer, blurred vision, back pain, dermatitis, and muscle aches. Chronic Job Dissatisfaction is a powerful source of Job stress. An employee trapped in a dissatisfying job may withdraw by such means as high absenteeism and tardiness or the employee may quit.

(F) UNIONISATION:

Job Dissatisfaction is the main cause for unionization. Job Dissatisfaction with wages, Job security, fringe benefits, chances for promotion and treatment by supervisor are reasons that make employees join unions. Another dimension is that Job Dissatisfaction can have an impact on the tendency to take action within the union, such as filing grievances or striking.

Thus Job Satisfaction helps management in terms of reduced turnover, reduced absences, reduced job stress and reduced medical costs. Satisfied employees are happy and better citizens.