JOB SATISFACTION

& MORALE
Dr. V. Vaidehi Priyal
Job Satisfaction
• Locke (1976) defines job satisfaction as "a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting
from the appraisal of one's job or job experiences“
• Job satisfaction is simply defined as how content an individual is with his or her job; whether
he or she likes the job or not
• Spector (1997) lists 14 common facets: Appreciation, Communication, Coworkers, Fringe
benefits, Job conditions, Nature of the work, Organization, Personal growth, Policies and
procedures, Promotion opportunities, Recognition, Security, and Supervision
• Employees’ job satisfaction becomes a central attention in the researches and discussions in
work and organizational psychology because it is believed to have relationship with the job
performance
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction
Management's role in enhancing employees' job satisfaction is to make sure the work
environment is positive, morale is high and employees have the resources they need to
accomplish the tasks they have been assigned

1. Working Conditions: Because employees spend so much time in their work environment
each week, it's important for companies to try to optimize working conditions. Such things
as providing spacious work areas rather than cramped ones, adequate lighting and
comfortable work stations contribute to favorable work conditions. Providing productivity
tools such as upgraded information technology to help employees accomplish tasks more
efficiently contributes to job satisfaction as well.
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction
2. Opportunity for Advancement: Employees are more satisfied with their current job if they
see a path available to move up the ranks in the company and be given more responsibility
and along with it higher compensation. Many companies encourage employees to acquire
more advanced skills that will lead to the chance of promotion.

3. Workload and Stress Level: Dealing with a workload that is far too heavy and deadlines
that are impossible to reach can cause job satisfaction to erode for even the most dedicated
employee. Falling short of deadlines results in conflict between employees and supervisors
and raises the stress level of the workplace. Many times, this environment is caused by
ineffective management and poor planning.
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction

4. Respect from Co-Workers: Employees seek to be treated with respect by those they work
with. A hostile work environment -- with rude or unpleasant coworkers -- is one that usually
has lower job satisfaction. In an August 2011 survey published by FoxBusiness.com, 50
percent of those responding said they had personally experienced a great amount of
workplace incivility. Fifty percent also believe morale is poor where they work. Managers
need to step in and mediate conflicts before they escalate into more serious problems
requiring disciplinary action.
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction
5. Relationship with Supervisors: Effective managers know their employees need recognition
and praise for their efforts and accomplishments. Employees also need to know their
supervisor's door is always open for them to discuss any concerns they have that are
affecting their ability to do their jobs effectively and impeding their satisfaction at the
office.

6. Financial Rewards: Job satisfaction is impacted by an employee's views about the fairness
of the company wage scale as well as the current compensation he or she may be receiving.
Companies need to have a mechanism in place to evaluate employee performance and
provide salary increases to top performers. Opportunities to earn special incentives, such as
bonuses, extra paid time off or vacations, also bring excitement and higher job satisfaction
to the workplace.
Morale
• According to Alexander H. Leighton, “morale is the capacity of a group of people to pull
together persistently and consistently in pursuit of a common purpose”
• Morale is important in the military, because it improves unit cohesion. Without good morale, a
force will be more likely to give up or surrender
• Morale is usually assessed at a collective, rather than an individual level. In wartime, civilian
morale is also important. Esprit de corps is considered to be an important part of a fighting
unit
• Professor Ralph C. Davis says about morale, "Good organizational morale is a condition in
which individuals and groups voluntarily make a reasonable subordination of their personnel
objectives of their organization"
Scales to Measure Employee’s Morale
There are some scales on which we can measure employee's Morale:

The supervisor/executive's impressions

The guided interview
The unguided interview
A combination of the guided and unguided interview
An analysis of company records
The listening-in process
The questionnaire
A combination of any of the foregoing methods
Improve Morale
Morale can be improved in a specific organization and in a specific environment:

Creation of whole jobs

Job enrichment
Building responsibility into a job
Modifying the work environment
Flexing working hours
Job-sharing
Rotation of jobs
Profit-sharing
Characteristics of Morale
Morale is a state of mind

Morale is a relative term it may be high or low

Morale is intangible

It is the aggregate of attitudes, feelings, emotions, sentiments etc.

Morale influences human behaviour and performance

Importance of Morale
Higher performance

Better quality of work

Low absenteeism

Good discipline

Fewer industrial accidents

Stability and growth of the organization

Importance of Morale
• Overall satisfaction: The other name of morale is satisfaction, which relates to needs of the
individual, his job, his colleagues, supervisors and so on. So a condition of high moral means
overall satisfaction, peace, harmony and stability.

• Productivity: Morale increases productivity in two ways - directly through inducing more
effort and indirectly, by removing some of the handicaps like employee grievance,
absenteeism, turnover and the like.

• Discipline: Where morale is high, there is practically no problem of indiscipline.

Importance of Morale
• Ease of management: High morale also reduces the need for supervision. Motivated workers
themselves take the initiative to work harder and better.

• Better company image: If morale can be maintained at a high level for a long period, it will
create a good image in the public mind about the company. While employees themselves may
publicize its policies, working conditions and so, on absence of disputers and general
atmosphere of harmony produce a favourable impact on suppliers, customers and the
neighbouring community.
THANK YOU