Thursday, May 6, 2021

People Persons

Who you work with may have a greater impact on job satisfaction than what you do

Many factors are associated with a positive work environment, including an interest in your field. But a new study shows that who you work with may have a greater impact on job satisfaction than what you do.

According to researchers from the University of Houston, a passion for your job is an indicator of satisfaction, but not nearly as high as expected. They analyzed more than 100 studies conducted over 65 years and found that liking what you do is more closely tied to performance than happiness. When you enjoy your job, you are more likely to gain promotions, raises, and other rewards based on proficiency.

What surprised researchers was that social experiences— a respectable boss, likeable coworkers, a company that recognizes hard work and rewards employees— were a stronger barometer of job satisfaction. Other research has come to similar conclusions. A survey from the American Psychological Association found that those who felt valued at their work were significantly more likely to say they wanted to do the very best for their employer.

This belief is also echoed in Canadian workplaces. A 2019 survey from Novexco that looked at driving factors at work determined that interpersonal relationships were one of the top motivators for workers across the country.

Regardless of whether support is coming from the upper levels of their company or from the job station next to them, Canadians are doing well in terms of workplace happiness. In a 2016 Statistics Canada survey, 84 percent of those polled agreed that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their jobs. What remains to be seen is what effect the pandemic will have on those high numbers.

Sources: forbes.com, Statistics Canada, Novexco Inc.

People Persons

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